By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A 23-year-old Pelham woman is being held in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $30,000 after she allegedly stole an Alabaster woman’s identity and pocketed tens of thousands of dollars from a local law office.

The Alabaster Police Department arrested Stefany Evelin Rodriguez, who lists an address on Kelly Drive in Pelham, on Oct. 24 and charged her with felony counts of first-degree theft of property, third-degree theft of property and identity theft.

Identity theft and first-degree theft of property are both Class B felonies, and are punishable by up to 20 years in prison upon conviction.

According to Rodriguez’ arrest warrants, she allegedly stole an Alabaster woman’s identity on Sept. 14 and stole $1,560 from the victim, leading to her identity theft and third-degree theft charges.

Rodriguez’ first-degree theft of property charge came when she allegedly stole $11,747 from the local Chasteen law firm between October 2016 and July of this year.

As of Oct. 25, Rodriguez remained in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $30,000, and did not yet have a preliminary hearing date set in front of Shelby County District Court Judge Daniel Crowson.