PA Welfare Office Supervisor Stole $20K In Food Benefits, Traded EBT Cards For Crack: Lehigh DA
A Pennsylvania welfare office supervisor stole more than $20,000 in food assistance benefits from families in need, using stolen Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to buy drugs, withdraw cash, and shop at local stores, authorities announced on Monday, Oct. 19.
Sheila McDonald, 46, of Pittsburgh, was working as a clerical supervisor and EBT coordinator at the Lehigh County Assistance Office in Allentown when she stole 48 cards and used them in more than 270 unauthorized transactions totaling $20,558.61, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Pennsylvania State …
Man, 42, Caught After Breaking Into Cars In Poughkeepsie Neighborhood: Police
A 42-year-old man was arrested after police linked him to an overnight vehicle break-in in Dutchess County — and discovered evidence that he was involved in another, previously unreported theft, authorities said.
Brian Gor, 42, was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 15, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department announced on Friday, Oct. 16.
According to police, officers responded to Wilmer Terrace around 7:13 a.m. after receiving a report that a vehicle had been broken into sometime overnight. Police eventually were able to identify a suspect, the department said.
Soon after, off…
Man Charged In $20K Tenafly Check Fraud Scheme Years After Route 80 Police Chase
A New Jersey man once arrested following a high-speed pursuit on Route 80 has been charged again, this time in a nearly $20,000 check fraud scheme, authorities said.
Nicholas G. Didio-Slaaen, 27, of Garfield, was arrested Thursday, Oct. 15, following a two-year investigation by Tenafly Police Detective Michael Vecchiarelli, Deputy Chief Michael deMoncada said.
The investigation began in August 2024, when a victim mailed a legitimate $2,500 check to a contractor for work performed, deMoncada said.
The check was intercepted, altered to list Didio-Slaaen as the payee, and deposited into his p…
Jericho PTA Mom Admits Stealing $50K For Tickets, Hotels, And Amazon: Authorities
A Long Island PTA mom admitted stealing more than $50,000 from the organization and spending it on herself, authorities said.
Jodi Scarlatos, 44, of Centereach, pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny on Thursday, Oct. 15, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said.
Scarlatos was treasurer of the Jericho Elementary School PTA from July 2020 through September 2023, giving her access to the group’s bank account and a debit card meant only for PTA expenses, investigators said.
Instead, she spent the money at restaurants, Best Buy, Ticketmaster, Amazon, and Verizon, along with ho…
Houston Man Stole $250K In Equipment From Lakewood Store: Police
A 35-year-old Houston man was arrested and charged with stealing $250,000 in equipment from a business in Lakewood, authorities announced Friday, Oct. 9.
On Sunday, June 14, officers responded to a business and discovered the front glass doors had been shattered, Lakewood police said. The owner reported that approximately $250,000 worth of equipment had been stolen, police said.
An investigation determined multiple individuals forced entry into the business during the early morning hours, damaged display cases, and fled with the stolen equipment, police said.
Ericson Pring was id…
American Dream Heist: Woman Swipes Nearly $1K In Merchandise From Alo, Cops Say
A woman has been arrested after nearly $1,000 worth of merchandise was stolen from a New Jersey mall's Alo store, authorities said.
Tazyha Walker, 33, was arrested Thursday, Oct. 8, in connection with the Sept. 8 theft at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey State Police Trooper II Christopher Postorino said.
Troopers responding to the store found approximately $968 worth of merchandise had been stolen, Postorino said. A search of the area came up empty, but surveillance footage showed the suspects entering and leaving the mall in a Chevrolet passenger vehicle, police…
Seaford Church Robbed For Second Time In 10 Months — This Time Losing Religious Items: Police
A Long Island man stole religious items from a church altar in Seaford, leading to his arrest more than a week later, police said.
James J. Vollaro, 58, of Deer Park, entered Maria Regina Catholic Church on Jerusalem Avenue on Sept. 28 around 7:30 a.m., the Nassau County Police Department said.
Vollaro took sacramentals from the altar and left the church, authorities said. After looking into the theft, investigators tied Vollaro to the case and arrested him Wednesday, Oct. 7 without incident, police said.
He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and issued an appearance ticket, pol…
