Former PTO president of Polk elementary school used school credit card for personal purchases, police say
Booking image for Aaron Pickle (Winter Haven Police Department)
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A Winter Haven man was arrested for spending over $3,000 while using a school's credit card intended for the Parent Teacher Organization, police said.
Investigators said 39-year-old Aaron Pickle was acting as the president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Elbert Elementary when the transactions were discovered, starting in August 2019. As president, authorities said he had possession of the school card.
School staff confronted Pickle, who initially said the credit card was stolen and attempted to file a fraudulent charge dispute at the bank. Winter Haven police said he claimed more than $3,100 was taken without his permission while using the PTO credit card.
The school also noticed a City of Winter Haven Utilities charge, and contacted the city police department to make a formal complaint. Detectives said, during the investigation, they learned the location for the utility service was at Pickle's home address.
Pickle was arrested on theft and credit card fraud charges.
Detectives said he used the card to make the following purchases:
1.) ATM withdrawal of $400: $200 was used for school items, remaining was for groceries and utilities.
2.) $1,702.10 for rent
3.) $1,400.00 for rent
4.) $188.97 to the City of Winter Haven Utilities
5.) Giovanni's Pizza, for $224.00 (Aaron gave the card to Jewett Academy staff for pizza purchase)
6.) Family Dollar, for $50.10, on 10/28/19 (Aaron purchased toiletries and household items).
7.) Plaza Mexico Wahneta, for $20.00, on 10/15/19 (Aaron made purchase for personal use).
8.) Big Daddy's, for $22.97, on 10/15/19 (Aaron made food purchase).
9.) FPUC Easy Pay, for $65.90, on 10/08/19 (Florida Power & Utilities, Aaron paid utility bill for gas services