Police said the former owner of Southington Travel is facing multiple charges after he allegedly used a customer’s credit card to book various trips, spending more than $142,000 without the owners knowledge or permission.
Christopher Michael Tichy, 42, was taken into custody on Thursday after detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest. He was immediately taken to Bristol Superior Court where he was arraigned and released after posting a $50,000 court-set bond, according to information provided on the state’s Judicial Branch website.
Tichy, of 18 Deidra Drive in Warwick, R.I., was charged with first-degree larceny and nine counts of spending more than $500 on a revoked credit card.
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According to an incident report from the Southington Police Department, detectives began investigating the case earlier this year after a former customer of Southington Travel discovered numerous improper charges on his credit card. The charges appeared to be trips that were booked which he was unaware of and did not go, he told officers.
“Tichy had access to the victim’s credit card number and in the past year, the victim noticed unauthorized charges on his credit card bills,” Sgt. Jeffrey Dobratz said. “The victim entrusted Tichy with his number to book trips, but at some point (Tichy) began booking other trips outside his authorization.”
Court records indicated that the trips were booked between January and April. Police said the charges amounted to just over $142,000.
Tichy did not enter a plea in the case, but court records indicate that the case is awaiting disposition. This could mean a plea agreement has been reached and is in the process of being finalized. Tichy is due back in Bristol Superior Court on Oct. 16.
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