By Taylor MacPherson

Serial fraudster ordered to pay back thousands

May 25, 2017 | 2:00 PM

A Prince Albert woman who supported her meth habit by racking up thousands in fraudulent charges on stolen credit cards was given a two-year conditional sentence this morning, and ordered to pay back money owed on top of some hefty fines.

Tara Marie Gallernault, 33, started her fraud spree in March of 2016 when she attempted to cash a stolen cheque at a payday loan establishment. The clerk phoned the owner of the cheque who confirmed it was stolen. Although Gallernault fled before police arrived, she was identified and charged based on video surveillance footage.

In October of 2016 Gallernault stole a credit card from a vehicle parked outside of a grocery store. Police tracked the card’s activity and noticed it was used to purchase fuel at three separate Co-op locations in Prince Albert, Birch Hills and Paddockwood.

The very next month Gallernault stole a Canadian Tire credit card from the home of a woman she had done housework for and used it at several locations around the city before the credit card company alerted the owner about suspicious purchases. Gallernault later stole roughly $700 in electronics from another parked vehicle along with another credit card, which she used to purchase fuel. In both cases police identified Gallernault based on store security footage.

“Police are very familiar with Ms. Gallernault,” Crown Prosecutor Gail Douglas said. “There’s a steady pattern here.”

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Gallernault, who appeared in court over video link from Pine Grove Correctional Centre, said she committed the thefts and frauds to support her crystal meth addiction. She has been clean for more than three months, she said, and wants to put the charges behind her.

Judge Steven Schiefner gave Gallernault a two-year conditional sentence. She was also ordered to repay $700 to the owner of the stolen electronics, $2,100 to Canadian Tire and $2,100 to MasterCard.

Schiefner also ordered 100 hours of community service and a fine of $2,000, bringing Gallernault’s total debts to just under $7,000.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews