ALPENA COUNTY – On March 28 a trooper from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Alpena Post was called to investigate the illegal use of a debit card.
The trooper spoke with the victim, who didn’t know her debit card was missing until she began seeing unauthorized purchases on her account. The victim provided the trooper with her bank statement showing unauthorized purchases in Hillman and at the Walmart and Meijer stores in Alpena. The victim identified over $2,200 in unauthorized purchases.
The trooper reviewed surveillance footage from several stores and was able to identify the suspect. On April 2, 2023, the suspect, 42-year-old Megan Diane Odell from Hillman, was seen at the Walmart store in Alpena and the State Police were notified. The trooper located Odell in the store, and she was subsequently arrested and lodged in the Alpena County Jail. Odell stated she no longer had the debit card in her possession.
Odell was arraigned in the 88th District Court in Alpena County for two counts Financial Transaction Device Steal/Retain without Consent. She was given a $1,500 10% cash bond.
Her next scheduled court appearance is on April 25, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
A report is being submitted to the Montmorency Count Prosecutor’s Office where Odell could face similar charges.
