Houseguest accused in debit card theft

Police say a Colorado Springs houseguest took a 78-year-old woman’s debit card and ran up charges.

Officers were called to the 2300 block of Zane Place Saturday morning after the 78-year-old reported unauthorized charges on her card.

She told police the card was missing from her purse.

Officers headed to the woman’s bank and got records on use of the card, including information about a charge from a Maizeland Road convenience store. Police said they then obtained surveillance footage from the store and were able to pick out the alleged thief.

Officers say the person behind the fraudulent transactions was 47-year-old Essie S. Garner, who had been a guest in the 78-year-old’s home.

Garner was arrested on investigation of theft and is being held in the El Paso County jail in lieu of $3,000 bail.