Ga. Crimestoppers employee Helen Jones charged with theft

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office said an administrative assistant with Macon Regional Crimestoppers misappropriated money meant for people who called in tips.

A news release said Helen Jones, 40, of Macon, arranged for an accomplice to pick up the money, totaling less than $1,800. Jones is charged with four counts of fiduciary theft.

The accomplice will be charged once enough evidence is gathered to determine their involvement, according to the sheriff's office.

The release stated Jones was responsible for handling paperwork associated with reward money for people who call in tips to Crimestoppers. She's accused of influencing the system through false invoices to allocate funds so that her associate was able to get the money.

"As we celebrate 15 years of assisting law enforcement in the apprehension of thousands of criminals in central Georgia, I am pleased that our program has checks and balances in place that quickly discovered these fraudulent activities by a newly hired assistant," Crimestoppers chairman Warren Selby, Jr. said. "Our program continues to do great things for our community and our board of directors takes seriously the responsibilities placed upon us by the community and especially our donors."