Homer Police last week charged two Homer women with second-degree theft and credit card fraud following the theft of a purse from a worker at a downtown tanning salon. Arrested were Kimberly Cissney, 29, and Tara Jones, 23. Both women face felony charges.

According to police reports, a press release and a criminal complaint, police allege that on Feb. 3 while a worker at Tan It All Salon on Pioneer Avenue was distracted, Cissney stole the woman's purse from behind a counter where the purse was kept. Cissney had gone to the tanning salon for an appointment. The purse later was found outside the building, but missing the woman's wallet. The victim reported the theft to police, and officers advised her to cancel her credit cards.

Two days later on Feb. 5, the woman's bank, Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, reported suspicious charges made on her Visa credit card. Charges were made at Manana Prints, Homer Saw and Cycle and McDonald's.

Officers Larry Baxter and Edward Stading interviewed employees at the businesses, and the employees identified Cissney from a photo lineup. A third suspect similar in appearance to Jones also was identified in a photo line up, but that woman was not arrested. Police allege the woman received stolen property, but did not have sufficient evidence to charge her with a crime, said Homer Police Chief Mark Robl.

On Feb. 11, police received and served search warrants for Cissney's Fairview Avenue home and the third suspect's home. Items taken using the stolen credit card were seized at both homes. The third suspect said she had received a piece of clothing from Cissney and said she gave it to her because it didn't fit her or Jones.

Police interviewed Cissney. In their complaint, police said Cissney gave them three items from Manana Prints. Police said Cissney told them she was involved in stealing the purse and credit cards from the Tan It All employee. Cissney said she used the stolen credit cards to buy items from Manana Prints, Homer Saw and Cycle and McDonald's. Police also got a warrant to record a phone call with a third person and Cissney. In that phone call, police allege Cissney acknowledged she participated with Jones in the theft of the purse and the use of the stolen credit cards.

Police also interviewed Jones. They allege she admitted using stolen credit cards to buy $12 in gas from HomeRun Oil, two $25 gift cards and a chicken nuggets meal and salad from McDonald's and clothing from Manana Prints and Homer Saw and Cycle. Police said Jones told them she and Cissney split $30 from the purse. Jones said she mutilated the credit cards and threw them in the woman's bathroom at Bishop's Beach.

Theft of an access device -- a credit card -- is a class C felony, as is using a credit card fraudulently.

Robl advised employees to secure their purses and wallets at work and for clerks to be vigilant in credit-card transactions.

"People should ask to see a photo ID," Robl said of customers using credit cards. "If something doesn't match up, they should call us right away and not give the person their card back."

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michaelarmstrong.@homernews.com.