Travel agent faces charges for stealing

Colchester (WTNH) - A bankrupt Colchester travel agent, accused of leaving would-be travelers in the lurch, is facing larceny charges.

Sarah Eifler, and her family, went on a cruise last winter, and it was everything they dreamed it would be. But it almost didn't happen and Kurt Eifler came close to looking his family in the eyes and telling them they can't go on vacation; their travel agent stole the money.

"It was very stressful leading up to it; we didn't know if we were going to get our money back or even if we were going to stay on the same cruise," said Kurt of Colchester.

They booked their trip through Alpha Travel; they say Deborah Long, 54, took thousands in travel deposits and put it in her pocket, never booking the trips and leaving families with empty promises.

"There were a lot of their people and I know a couple who was on the list and they were out of the money that is for sure," said Kurt.

State Police arrested Long this week and she was arraigned on seven charges Thursday morning.

"It is significant; the cases we have in front of us, the bond is well over $100,000. Each individual case is a larceny, from second degree to third degree; those are felonies that are punishable by incarceration and monetary fines," said Lt. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police Department.

"I think it was a great thing that they finally got her because it was stealing money from people who worked hard for their money and it's just not right," said Eifler.