WESTPORT–An employee of Shoe Inn, 21 Main St., Westport, is due in court later this month on charges that she processed nearly $100,000 in fake merchandise returns to a credit card she controlled, town police said.

Maria Rosales, 21, of Bridgeport, allegedly ran the scheme until it was discovered by chance on May 7 when a customer called the owner to ask about loyalty points, police said. While the owner was looking into the matter, he found that a merchandise return had been fraudulently processed against the customer’s account – but not to that customer’s credit card.

Instead, the funds were “returned” to a separate account.

Further investigation showed more suspected fraudulent returns. In all, they totaled $98,405.65, police said. Evidence pointed to Rosales as the person responsible, and a warrant was issued for her arrest, police said.

On Friday, Rosales turned herself in at the Westport Police Department headquarters. She was charged with first-degree larceny and was later released after posting bond on $75,000 bail.

She is scheduled to appear at Superior Court in Stamford on June 26, court records show.