On Jan. 8, Bristol Police responded to Le Central restaurant on Hope Street for a complainant of theft by an employee. Upon arrival, police were met by the owner of Le Central, who reported he was recently contacted by customers advising charges made to their credit card used to pay the bill at the restaurant did not match up with their receipt.

As a result, the owner examined recent customer credit card transactions and found some to be suspicious and that all the receipts in question were linked to one employee. The owner advised police that he confronted the employee, a waitress, upon his discovery and the employee admitted to altering credit card receipts.

As a result, the waitress, who had been employed at the restaurant for approximately two months, was terminated.

Upon Bristol Police detectives reviewing credit card receipts that had been identified as being suspected to have been altered, it was discovered that some of the credit card receipts were in fact altered to reflect a higher tip amount. As the investigation continued by Bristol Police detectives, further evidence was developed that identified Lauren Raphael, age 29, of Providence, as being the person responsible of altering credit card receipts to reflect a higher tip during her employment at the restaurant.

As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was requested for Lauren Raphael for eight counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretenses.

On April 17, Ms. Raphael turned herself in at 6th District Court and was arraigned on the charges. She was released on $1,000 personal recognizance. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for May 10.