Melbourne woman steals wallet of church worker trying to help her, officials say

Security cameras captured the moment a fraud suspect targeted a worker at a Central Florida church who was trying to help the poor, officials said.Doreen O'Keefe, 56, is charged with four counts of fraudulent use of a credit card and 15 counts of identity theft. To find her, police used security video of her from Eau Gallie First Baptist Church in Melbourne. People go to the church every week to get financial aid.Mark Harpold is the church's minister."We want to help everybody we possibly can with their financial needs," Harpold said.Police said when O'Keefe sat down in the church office to request help, she stole the wallet of the 69-year old church worker who was helping her. According to authorities, O'Keefe helped herself to the worker's credit cards, quickly hitting 15 establishments before the cards were canceled. "As a church, we do want to help people. There's so many people in need, and it's frustrating when people come and steal from people that are trying to help," Harpold said.A total of $1,800 worth of goods was found in O'Keefe's home.O'Keefe was taken into custody in Melbourne, where she is waiting to hear if her $170,000 bail will be reduced.

Security cameras captured the moment a fraud suspect targeted a worker at a Central Florida church who was trying to help the poor, officials said.

Doreen O'Keefe, 56, is charged with four counts of fraudulent use of a credit card and 15 counts of identity theft.


To find her, police used security video of her from Eau Gallie First Baptist Church in Melbourne.

People go to the church every week to get financial aid.

Mark Harpold is the church's minister.

"We want to help everybody we possibly can with their financial needs," Harpold said.

Police said when O'Keefe sat down in the church office to request help, she stole the wallet of the 69-year old church worker who was helping her. According to authorities, O'Keefe helped herself to the worker's credit cards, quickly hitting 15 establishments before the cards were canceled.

"As a church, we do want to help people. There's so many people in need, and it's frustrating when people come and steal from people that are trying to help," Harpold said.

A total of $1,800 worth of goods was found in O'Keefe's home.

O'Keefe was taken into custody in Melbourne, where she is waiting to hear if her $170,000 bail will be reduced.