A woman who had worked for decades at the Citizens Bank on Willett Avenue on the Riverside-Barrington line is facing police charges after she allegedly stole more than $100,000 from an elderly East Providence woman.

Police say that Sherry A. Blaydes Jarvis, 49, of Riverside, befriended a bank customer and, over the course of six or seven years, illegally drained money out of the woman’s bank accounts.

Barrington Police Det. Lt. Dino DeCrescenzo said a fraud investigator with Citizens Bank contacted the department earlier this year, shortly after the investigator discovered discrepancies with the customer’s accounts.

For months, police and bank officials studied the situation and on Friday, Jan. 31, officers arrested Ms. Blaydes Jarvis. Police charged her with three felonies — exploitation of an elder; larceny over $1,500; and obtaining money under false pretenses. Ms. Blaydes Jarvis turned herself into police on Friday, accompanied by her attorney, Paul DiMaio.

Police say the suspect was “let-go” from her employer shortly after they discovered the situation. Ms. Blaydes Jarvis reportedly worked for the local bank branch for approximately 20 years.

Det. Lt. DeCrescenzo said the victim was in her late 70s and was not "savvy" with her banking. “The elderly woman entrusted her (Ms. Blaydes Jarvis) so much that this woman took care of her everyday banking. She (the victim) didn’t really check her accounts,” he said.

Local police have seen quite a few similar cases, where people have taken advantage of older residents. Often times, the elderly victims are alone — this Riverside woman was a widow and had no family in the area.

“They need someone who can be trusted,” Det. Lt. DeCrescenzo said.

The detective added that the bank and its investigators were “extremely helpful” with the case.