Identity Theft Investigation Leads To Arrest Of Princeton Woman

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A Princeton woman has been arrested after Johnston County detectives accused her of stealing an elderly man’s credit card and using it to make nearly $10,000 in unauthorized purchases.

The investigation began in May 2026 after the caretaker of an 80-year-old Smithfield man discovered suspicious transactions on the victim’s credit card account and reported the matter to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.

According to investigators, the fraudulent purchases occurred over a two-month period, from March through April, before the credit card was deactivated.

Authorities allege Armandina Inclan, 54, of South Pearl Street in Princeton, used the stolen card to make purchases at businesses in Smithfield, Selma, Kenly, Princeton and Carolina Beach.

The victim’s caretaker estimated the unauthorized transactions totaled approximately $10,000.

Following the investigation, deputies arrested Inclan on Aug. 3. She was charged with three counts of identity theft, three counts of financial card fraud, and one count of financial card theft.

Inclan was booked into the Johnston County Detention Center under a $60,000 secured bond.