City of Collegedale

Collegedale, TN – On November 9, Leilana Bearce was arrested and booked for theft over $10,000, a class C felony. Bearce is accused of embezzling over $47,000 while employed as a teller at the Collegedale Credit Union.

According to the credit union president a customer had made them aware after noticing several transactions on their account that they had not made.

An inquiry was started, and it was soon found that between August 29 and October 31, 2022, Bearce had allegedly taken money out of various credit union member accounts and transferred them through her family members’ accounts before she would move them to her own.

During her exit interview Bearce stated that at times she felt that she had too much freedom and access. After the interview Bearce was promptly terminated.

It is unclear how many account holders were victimized, however, the credit union informed law enforcement that they would be reimbursing the members’ losses.

Bearce is currently out on bond and is expected to appear in the Collegedale Municipal Court on March 29, 2023.