A Merritt woman has been charged with theft and fraud after what police say was a complex internal investigation.

In a statement, RCMP Sgt. Josh Roda says 39-year-old Hope Moira Thomas is facing one count of theft over $5,000 and two counts of fraud over $5,000.

He says police began investigating on May 26, 2020 after reports of a suspected internal theft at a bank in Merritt.

“Police were told that bank officials believed the funds were fraudulently taken by one of its employees over an extended period of time,” Roda said, though he did not identify the bank in question. “The financial institution fully cooperated with the criminal investigation.

“The full investigative findings of which were submitted to the BC Prosecution Service for charge assessment.”