A young woman who had been making headlines for her outstanding performance in track and field at a college in Massachusetts now finds herself at the center of a controversy that is not about sports.
Ariel Foster, a 19-year-old freshman and sprinter on Lasell University’s track team, was arrested on March 8 for larceny after being accused of stealing $547,187 from the jewelry store where she worked. Foster reportedly embezzled the money through fraudulent returns at Lovisa, a store in the Burlington Mall. When the police reviewed the store’s records, they noticed the transaction, which was believed to be for $1 million, had not cleared, and Foster was seen on surveillance footage, which they also say she tampered with.
Foster was charged with theft, and the police say that she made eight transactions over three days, from February 2nd to February 22nd, siphoning tens of thousands of dollars from Lovisa to her own bank account. She used the money to purchase several items, including a Tesla, Louis Vuitton items, Delta Airline tickets, and a hotel stay in Maui, Hawaii. Foster was arrested in her dorm room on campus by Burlington police and confessed to the crime.
According to reports, Foster was apologetic and said that she committed the crime to reduce the financial burden on her mother, who was supporting her. Foster’s mother is not believed to be involved in the crime. The school is now deliberating whether to let her stay or dismiss her from the institution. Burlington Police Chief Thomas Browne said that Foster marked up items in the store, overpricing them, and then returned the difference to her credit card.
It is unfortunate that such a bright and promising student-athlete would engage in such illegal activities. The police are still investigating the case and may bring additional charges against Foster. This incident is a reminder that greed and desperation can lead people to do things they would not ordinarily do. It also underscores the importance of companies monitoring their employees’ activities and implementing strict security measures to prevent fraud and embezzlement. Ultimately, Ariel Foster’s actions were a betrayal of trust, and she must face the consequences of her choices.
