A Rocky Mount woman facing 12 counts of embezzlement from the local Charter Communications office fled the area before she could be served the warrants, Roanoke Rapids police said today.

Captain Andy Jackson said Detective Corey Dixon began an investigation in February after receiving a report from Charter there were discrepancies in their books.

Following that investigation Dixon lodged charges against Shawndolyn Lasha Lyles, 33, for the 12 embezzlement counts.

The alleged embezzlement began in November of last year and ended in January. Jackson said the embezzlement allegedly involved her applying part of customer bill payments to the proper accounts while keeping the remainder for her own use. He said she would handwrite receipts instead of putting them in the computer system.

Dixon said the charges against Lyles reflect money that wasn't paid back to Charter, money that represents more than $1,000.

Dixon said Lyles has been charged with embezzlement in the past in Enfield and is on the Rocky Mount Police Department's 10 most wanted criminals list.

Jackson said she is known to frequent areas in Rocky Mount and Edgecombe County and possibly Mississippi.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.