A local animal clinic just found a massive hole in its bank accounts, and the law has finally caught up with the person allegedly responsible. Following a stealthy month-long investigation initiated in April 2026, detectives have tracked down and arrested a former employee accused of pulling off a major inside job.
The trouble started at Humphrey, Giacopuzzi and Associates Equine Hospital, a well-known veterinary facility dealing with horse care. Investigators from the Camarillo Investigation Bureau launched a deep dive into the business records after audit flags signaled potential financial misconduct. It did not take long for all roads to lead straight to the company bookkeeper.
Detectives discovered that between 2022 and 2024, Colleen Whiting used her position of trust to systematically siphon cash away from the clinic. Over that two-year stretch, she allegedly embezzled approximately $67,000 from the business. It turns out managing the ledger provided the perfect cover for a slow-burn heist, leaving the hospital to foot the bill while the cash quietly vanished.
The game officially ended on May 20, 2026. Members of the Camarillo Investigations Bureau teamed up with the Camarillo Directed Enforcement Unit to track Whiting outside the local area. They ultimately located her in the city of Goleta, where she was caught and taken into custody without incident.
Whiting was transported back down the coast and booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. She faces felony charges for a violation of California Penal Code 503, which covers embezzlement. Her bail has been set at $20,000 as she awaits her first date in front of a judge.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office praised local residents for keeping their ears to the ground, noting that tips from the public are vital for locking down white-collar criminals. Clinic owners are being urged to keep a closer eye on their internal audits before an insider takes them for a ride.
What Happened
Police in Camarillo started looking into the books at Humphrey, Giacopuzzi & Associates Equine Hospital in April 2026. They had questions about missing funds.
Detectives say they found a trail of stolen cash. They believe Colleen Whiting, the clinic's former bookkeeper, took about $67,000 between 2022 and 2024.
On May 20, 2026, police found Whiting in Goleta. They arrested her and took her to jail, where her bail was set at $20,000.
What the evidence shows
- The location: Humphrey, Giacopuzzi & Associates Equine Hospital in Camarillo.
- The suspect: Colleen Whiting, who worked there as a bookkeeper.
- The amount: About $67,000 missing from the clinic.
- The timeframe: The money went missing between 2022 and 2024.
- The charge: One count of grand theft embezzlement under California law.
The Bigger Question
How do small local businesses protect themselves from people they trust? Bookkeepers have total access to the bank accounts of the places they work.
When a clinic has to worry about internal theft, it has less time to focus on caring for sick horses. We must ask how often small businesses fall victim to this kind of quiet harm.
The Other Side
Whiting has not yet entered a plea in court, and her defense has not made a public statement. Because we have not heard her side of the story, we do not know if she has an explanation for the missing cash. Based on the police report, the paper trail from the books will be the key test in court.
What Happens Now
Whiting remains in the Ventura County jail unless she pays her $20,000 bail. The equine hospital will have to rebuild its trust and its budget. For local pet owners, it is a reminder of how fragile small businesses can be.
What We Still Don't Know
- How did the hospital first spot the missing money?
- Where did the $67,000 go?
- Will the hospital be able to get any of the stolen cash back?
Source Note
This story is based on reports from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. All charges are allegations - Colleen Whiting is presumed innocent until proven guilty.