Week in Review: Bank Fraud, Drug Arrest, Fundraising for Toys for Tots, and More

Plainville Woman Arrested For Intent to Distribute Drugs

What started as a routine vehicle stop turned into a drug related arrest last week in Plainville.

After pulling over a vehicle on George St on November 21, Patrolman Todd Holbrook’s check of the vehicle showed that the registered owner of the car had an active warrant but was not in the car.

The owner of the car, Tracy Augustine of 51 George Street, Plainville was found at her home hiding in a crawl space by Holbrook with assistance from Patrolwoman Julie Barrett. In addition, there were drug related items in plain site around the house.

Augustine was arrested and charged with possession of Class A drug with intent to distribute, possession of Class B drug with intent to distribute, and being present where heroin is kept. 

A North Attleboro woman has been charged with bank fraud for taking over $100,000 from Wrentham Co-operative Bank while serving as an employee.

The woman, Debra S. Antonitis, 45, is being charged with three counts of mail fraud and one count of wire mail.

According to the US Attorney's Office, Antonitis allegidly made 143 fraudulent transfers of funds through the records system of the bank when she was employed as a branch manager by the bank. Antonitis took approximately $112,385 though this method.

Plea Deal Reached in Wrentham Bank Fraud Case

A plea deal has been agreed to between the U.S. Attorney's Office and
a North Attleboro woman who took over $100,000 from Wrentham
Co-operative Bank while employed by the bank.

If approved in U.S. District Court, Debra Antonitis will plead guilty
to bank fraud according to the U.S. Attorney's Massachusetts Office.

Wrentham Resident Fundraising to Give Holiday Toys For Kids Affected by Sandy

With the holiday shopping season now in full effect, many children are filling out their holiday wish list with the hope that they’ll have the latest and greatest toys in their possession come December. Meanwhile in the New York and New Jersey, Hurricane Sandy has potentially left thousands of children present less this holiday season.

With a greater need for toys in areas affected by the hurricane, Tracey Murphy of Wrentham has been raising money for Toys for Toys to benefit those children who need toys this winter in the New York/New Jersey area.

According to the preliminary state-reported data, for the 2010-2011 school year Massachusetts had a four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate of 83 percent, which ties for 11th highest in the nation with six other states. Iowa had the highest rate at 88 percent. 

Meanwhile, according to the DESE website, for the 2010-2011 school year King Philip High School had a four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate of 86.5 percent.