Police: Women embezzled $6K from employer

TAMPA -- Three Tampa women were arrested Thursday and charged with embezzling more than $6,800 from their employer, police say.

According to a report, Melania Wright, Kimberly Reid and Julia Soto worked at Pearl Crafts, 3916 W Hillsborough Ave. They wouldn't give customers receipts. Then they would void the transactions, remove the cash and pocket the money, the report says.

Wright allegedly stole $3,260; Soto, $1,900; and Reid, $1,656.

Of the three women, Soto was the only one to deny the accusations. In Wright's confession to police, she implicated Soto and Reid in the scheme.

Rodney Thrash, Times staff writer