Cops: Alpharetta High’s ‘Professional of the Year’ stole co-worker’s credit cards

The paraprofessional used $2,600 on a rental car and $1,500 at AT&T, according to police.

A week before he allegedly stole two credit cards from his co-worker, Alpharetta High School selected Colin Renaldo as its 2018 “Professional of the Year.”

MORE: Read the announcement

Authorities now say the star paraprofessional racked up nearly $4,400 in personal charges on his colleague’s cards.

According to a Fulton County Schools police report, the victim noticed her credit card was missing from her wallet while she was trying to assist a friend with lunch on Feb. 21.

Colin Renaldo

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

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Credit: Channel 2 Action News

“Noticing the card was missing was strange,” Fulton County Schools police Officer Frederick B. Ivey wrote in his report, “but (the victim) continued with her day hoping to find the card later.”

The next day, the victim was contacted by her bank’s fraud department regarding recent charges on her account — charges she said she never made.

“Contact was made with Colin Renaldo, who advised he had information pertaining to the theft,” Ivey said.

Later, Renaldo admitted he made the charges on the victim’s cards, according to the report.

He told police he went to the victim’s office to drop off paperwork pertaining to the school’s seniors. He said he saw the woman’s purse, started thinking about bills he had to pay and took the two credit cards.

Within a day, he charged $2,577.47 to Avis Rental Car company, paid a bill worth $1,506 to AT&T and purchased a $305.95 Visa gift card at a Kroger in the 500 block of East Crossville Road during school hours.

After the victim told police she hadn’t given anyone permission to use her card, Renaldo was placed in handcuffs and taken to the Fulton County jail on a charge of a forgery financial transaction card. He is out of jail on a $2,000 signature bond.

District spokeswoman Donna Lowry said Renaldo was “immediately” fired.

“This case is now a criminal matter,” she said. “We do not have a statement.”