Woman arrested for refusing to return $19,000 after employer mistakenly overpaid her

A woman was arrested after she allegedly refused to return money to her employer, who mistakenly paid her $1,650 an hour in Arkansas, United States.

50-year-old Rene Nichole Coleman of Jonesboro, Arkansas, was taken arrested on Monday after a judge found probable cause to charge her with theft of more than $5,000 but less than $25,000, a felony offense.

According to report, which cited an affidavit, the CEO of a Jonesboro-area business said on August 12, 2025, that a former employee, identified in the report as Coleman, stole money from her company. 

The CEO said a payroll system error led to Coleman being paid $1,650 an hour for her 12-hour shift.

Coleman, who was normally paid $16.50 an hour, was overpaid $19,388, the affidavit alleged. 

According to NEA report, after the issue was discovered, the victim went to police when Coleman allegedly refused to return the money. 

The CEO also provided law enforcement with financial documents and emails to support her claims.

The affidavit further alleges that investigators reached Coleman by phone, and she agreed to meet to speak with authorities but never showed up, per the reports.

Coleman was arrested Monday and taken to the Craighead County Detention Center on a bench warrant that was obtained on August 18, 2025, per NEA Report. 

She was given a $15,000 cash or surety bond by a judge and is expected to appear in court again on May 18.