A former employee of A Better Towing Co. in Chehalis has been accused of making over $4,800 in personal purchases across multiple company cards.
Jason R. Rayfield, 42, of Vader, is charged with one count each of first-degree identity theft and second-degree theft. First-degree identity theft is considered a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines. Second-degree theft is considered a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Rayfield made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday after posting the $25,000 bail set in his arrest warrant. A judge allowed Rayfield to remain released, provided he follows his release conditions, which include permitted travel to Oregon for work.
Rayfield works as a truck driver, his defense attorney said during the hearing.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Chehalis police responded to the initial theft complaint on Aug. 6. A company executive reported Rayfield had made “multiple unauthorized transactions on the company credit cards and fuel card.”
The executive found the transactions suspicious “because Rayfield had been on vacation when many of the purchases were made,” according to the affidavit. She cancelled the cards.
According to the affidavit, Rayfield contacted the woman on Aug. 1 and learned she had cancelled the cards because of “unauthorized use.”
“Rayfield admitted he had used the cards while on vacation,” the affidavit said.
The woman told police Rayfield had agreed to pay back the money he’d spent by Aug. 6. Instead, Rayfield allegedly failed to pay the company back and did not return to work.
“She also provided text messages with Rayfield that admitted he used the company credit cards
while out of town,” prosecutors wrote in the affidavit. “Rayfield said he did not have the money to repay the company.”
According to prosecutors, Rayfield’s criminal history includes convictions for a number of offenses including first-degree theft, second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal impersonation and first-degree trafficking in stolen property.
Rayfield is scheduled for an arraignment on Oct. 15.
