BUFFALO, NY – A handyman working at the home of an elderly female victim in Buffalo was arrested and charged after he was found to have been writing himself checks using the victim’s checkbook and using her debit card for his own personal use.
Police say 33-year-old Jered C. Menter stole $23,048 from the woman, which included writing a series of checks from the victim and forging her signature, which resulted in a loss of $9,805.00.
“The defendant used the victim’s debit card to make numerous unauthorized cash withdrawals, which totaled $8,676.98. The defendant also fraudulently used the victim’s credit card information, resulting in $4,566.04 in unauthorized charges,” Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said. “The crime was discovered by the victim’s son after he audited his mother’s financial accounts. The victim was reimbursed by the bank and credit card company after the theft was reported. As part of the plea, the defendant signed two Confessions of Judgement to pay full restitution to the financial institutions impacted by his crimes.”
Menter pleaded guilty and could face up to four years in prison.