Arkadelphia woman arrested for attempting to steal chicken dinners

By JOE MAY | The Southern Standard

The expression “winner winner chicken dinner” apparently does not apply to one Arkadelphia woman who attempted to steal over $1,100 in meals from a local restaurant.

According to an affidavit filed by APD Criminal Investigator Sgt. Alvin Johnson, an Arkadelphia restaurant reported an ongoing theft. The owner told police that the store’s credit card processor had advised him of 30 credit card cancellations in a one-month period on cards apparently being used by 25-year-old Maritta Chante Lock. The amount of the cancelled transactions totaled $1,169.07.

The suspect would apparently call in to-go orders, pay for the transaction with a debit card and then call her bank to dispute the amount. For those incidents, Lock is charged with felony Theft of Property. 

Lock was also arrested in another case involving dishonest dealings with a debit card, this time the card of a disabled person whom she allegedly took advantage of while assisting him with housekeeping needs.

Johnson’s affidavit in the case states that the victim’s sister reported her brother’s debit card was missing and that several payments had been made to area stores and individuals.

The victim said a female he knew only as “Ritta” would visit his apartment. Using the phone number he provided, police traced it back to Lock, who was already a suspect in the previous case. Video footage from Walmart showed Lock and two men using the stolen card.

Police also spoke to individuals who allegedly received CashApp payments from the card under the name “Lock Housekeeping Service” who cited various reasons for getting money from the suspect. Lock told police that she was the victim’s home healthcare provider.

She was charged with Exploitation of a Vulnerable Person, a Class C Felony.