Controller for Toyota dealership arrested on theft charges

Some simple precautions can prevent problems like this

LEBANON TOWNSHIP — A five-year employee at a local car dealership has been arrested on charges of stealing almost a half-million dollars from the business, according to a statement from county officials.

Elizabeth L. Pearson, 33, of 28 Dennis Road, Bloomsbury, was arrested after a five-month investigation into money missing from Muller Toyota, 2019 State Highway 31 South, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release Friday.



"We're not making any commment on that," said Jim Pesce, general sales manager of Muller Toyota. (of course not).

The dealership had a forensic audit done and contacted the prosecutor's office's Major Crime Unit after receiving the results of it, authorities said. Police found that from June 2002 through September 2007, Pearson diverted more than $400,000 from accounts maintained by Muller Toyota to herself, authorities said.

Pearson, charged with second-degree theft by deception, second-degree misapplication of entrusted property, and third-degree forgery, surrendered to detectives today and was put in Hunterdon County Jail on $75,000 bail with a 10 percent option, police said. She had worked for the dealership for five years.

Anyone with information about the case can call Dan Hurley, deputy chief of
Investigations, at (908) 788-1492.

Let Justice be served.
AFI