The day before a woman fell from a car on Mill Street, she and a Watertown man stole and used a debit card, spending nearly $724, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department alleges.

Jeffrey Robert Smith, 24, of 936 Summer St., was arrested Wednesday on three counts of identity theft and two counts each of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and second-degree forgery. Town of Watertown Justice Andrew N. Capone set bail at $40,000, committing him to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building. He awaits grand jury action.

His co-defendant in the case is identified by the sheriff’s office as Angela C. Perdue, who at age 24, died on April 29 when she either fell or jumped from a car being driven on Mill Street. At the time of her death, she was not a suspect in the theft investigation, said Sheriff’s Detective Ben K. Timerman.

A debit card issued to Watertown Urgent Care for the use of one of their employees, Janet Johnson, was stolen on April 28 from Ms. Johnson’s purse at Walmart Super Center, outer Arsenal Street, Mr. Timerman said. The card was then used that day at two locations, Target for a $721.87 purchase, and at Pizza Hut, for $2.14, he said.

Using store security video, the sheriff’s department posted photos of the offenders on its Facebook page, and information was developed, the detective said. One picture showed the two getting into a Yellow Cab, and the cab company proved to be helpful, he said.

Ms. Perdue died of blunt force trauma to her head as a result of her tumble from the car. Mr. Smith was not the driver of the auto.

Mr. Smith also has prosecution pending in Watertown City Court from arrests in April and May on charges of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal contempt and harassment.

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