Police: Worker used dead woman's credit card

A hospice worker faces felony charges after she stole a terminally ill woman's credit card and used it after the patient died, police said.

Nevockeia Finch, 24, of 1615 Lorelei Drive, Zion, was arrested Sept. 22 and charged with unlawful use of a credit card and aggravated identity theft. She faces a maximum 8 years in prison if convicted.

Finch had been caring for the 73-year-old victim at the woman's Libertyville home, police said. The woman, whose name was not released, died Aug. 16.

Authorities don't know when the card was stolen, but they say Finch used it at a fast-food restaurant, a nail salon and a grocery store in Waukegan on Aug. 19.

Finch fraudulently bought about $500 worth of merchandise, Libertyville Police Chief Patrick Carey said.

The crime was discovered by the credit card company, which had suspected unusual spending activity on the account and called the victim's husband, Carey said.

Police investigators used surveillance video and witness statements to connect Finch to the crime, Carey said. A warrant then was issued for her arrest.

"Those who use (credit cards) fraudulently almost always leave a trail of evidence behind," he said.

Finch was released on her own recognizance after an initial court appearance, police said. She is next scheduled to appear in court Oct. 26.