Menifee Troop Leader Arrested For Allegedly Embezzling $5K From Girl Scouts

REDLANDS (CBSLA.com) — A 26-year-old Menifee woman Tuesday faced embezzlement charges after she allegedly stole more than $5,000 from a local Girl Scout troop that she led.

Michelle Marie Villa was arrested on Jan. 23 and is now free on $50,000 bail, Redlands Police said.

Villa was the leader for a Moreno Valley troop and used the group's debit card to buy more than $5,000 worth of personal items, including "groceries, craft supplies, athletic gear and a computer and printer, between July 2012 and July 2013," Carl Baker of the RPD said.

The missing funds were reported to police by the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio headquarters in December of last year.

Detectives later searched Villa's home and recovered evidence of the crime, police said.

The troop is expected to be reimbursed.