A Jonesboro woman is facing a felony theft charge after authorities say she kept nearly $20,000 mistakenly paid to her by her employer.
Craighead County District Judge David Boling found probable cause Monday to charge 50-year-old Rene Nichole Coleman with theft of property valued at more than $5,000 but less than $25,000, a Class C felony.
According to the affidavit, the case began Aug. 12, 2025, when the CEO of a Jonesboro business reported that a former employee had taken company funds following a payroll error.
Investigators say Coleman, who was normally paid $16.50 per hour, was mistakenly paid $1,650 per hour for a 12-hour shift on May 10, 2025. The error resulted in an over-payment of $19,388.
Authorities report that after the mistake was discovered, Coleman did not return the funds. The employer later provided financial records and email correspondence to support the claim.
A detective contacted Coleman, who agreed to meet with law enforcement but did not appear. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued.
Jonesboro police were notified April 6, 2026, that Coleman had been taken into custody on the outstanding warrant.
Judge Boling set Coleman’s bond at $15,000 cash or surety.
Coleman is scheduled to be arraigned May 18.
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