Montgomery County Fugitive Arrested In New York

LANSDALE, Pa. (CBS) -- Authorities in Montgomery County say a Lansdale woman who fled the country after learning she was the target of a criminal investigation over money she allegedly stole from the man she was caring for has been taken into custody trying to get back into the United States.

Authorities have been looking for Janet Gitney for about a month. They had a pretty good idea that she fled to the Philippines after police filed theft charges related to more than $300,000 she allegedly stole from the Hatfield stroke victim she was taking care of.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman says the 57-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday when she landed at Kennedy Airport in New York.

"My understanding is she got herself onto a plane and when she landed in the United States, she tried to simply enter quietly. But it was a customs official who ran her name and found that there were in fact warrants for her," Ferman explained.

Ferman speculates that Gitney may have learned that authorities in the Philippines were closing in. She credits law enforcement around the world for working together to try to find justice for the alleged victim.

Gitney is in the custody of US Marshals and will spend her Thanksgiving behind bars.

Reported By KYW Suburban Bureau Chief Brad Segall