News : Former Vinton resident jailed on theft, burgarly charges

A former Vinton resident and assisted living center employee faces a variety of theft and burglary charges after authorities investigated the theft of two rings valued at more than $6,000 from residents of that facility last year.

Tammy Aline Hearn, 47, originally from Vinton and currently living in Des Moines area was arrested in Des Moines on January 29, 2014 by the United States Marshall Service.

She is also accused of using a the name of an acquaintance to fraudulently obtain a credit card without that man's permission, and of charging more than $10,000 worth of purchases on that card.

Hearn was arrested following an investigation by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the assistance of the United States Marshall Service.

During the investigation, a sheriff’s office investigator learned that Hearn has been employed by several care facilities in eastern Iowa during the last several years. While working at care facilities in the Vinton area, Hearn took jewelry from some of the resident’s apartments and later pawned it. The investigation is continuing.

According to court documents, authorities allege that Hearn stolel two rings, one valued at more than $6,000, from two Windsor Manor residents in January, and later pawned them at EZPawn in Waterloo.

Hearn is currently being held at the Benton County Correctional facility on a $10,000 cash only bond and is charged with the following offenses:

Theft in the 1st degree (class C felony)

2 counts Burglary in the second degree (class D felony)

Theft in the 2nd degree (class D felony)

Theft in the 5th degree (simple misdemeanor)