Woman accused of identify theft against her mother

A Colusa County woman is facing felony identity theft charges after using her mother's social security number to obtain credit.

Melissa Jane Overton-Hitt, 41, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of grand theft, theft from an elder or dependent adult, theft of a credit card and identity theft.

Overton-Hitt was arrested at the home of her mother, Mary Robbins, in the 100 block of Cosner Avenue in Maxwell.

Overton-Hitt was previously arrested on similar charges March 3, but the case was dismissed because of lack of evidence, according to Colusa County Assistant District Attorney David Bates.

"We didn't think we had enough at that time to get a conviction," Bates said. "We wanted the investigation to go a little farther."

Overton-Hitt, who also lives in Carmichael, is accused of charging more than $1,500 to credit cards she obtained under her mother's name, Bates said.

Bates said it appears that she may have made payments on the cards for some time, but eventually stopped paying on the debt.

"There may be more cards out there," he said. "It is still being investigated."

Overton-Hitt was arraigned on Friday and released from jail on her own recognizance.

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.