NEWARK, N.J. — Authorities are asking for assistance in identifying two women accused of a theft of services at a Newark restaurant on Saturday night, according to the Newark Department…
BALTIMORE, MD — Four men have been indicted for their roles in an organized retail crime ring accused of committing 37 thefts across six Maryland counties, resulting in approximately $800,000…
MINEOLA, N.Y. — The owners of Anatolia Mediterranean & Grill in West Hempstead have been charged with underpaying their employees by more than $60,000 over a seven-month period, marking the…
NEW YORK — Police are searching for a 21-year-old man in connection with the theft of a gold-plated metal rose from the 9/11 Memorial inside the Church of St. Francis…
GREENSBURG, Pa. — A former director of the Westmoreland County Purchasing Department has been charged with theft and misapplication of entrusted property following allegations of unauthorized payroll adjustments, county detectives…
Man Arrested for Theft at DuPont Experimental Station
**Wilmington, DE** – The Delaware State Police have arrested Michael Hughes, 51, of Townsend, Delaware in connection with multiple felony thefts that took place over three months at the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington.
On November 12, the Troop 2 Property Crimes Unit began an investigation into reports of several thefts from the DuPont Experimental Station at 200 Powder Mill Road. Investigations revealed that between August and October, lab and office equipment worth several thousand dollars were stolen and sold online.
Michael Hughes, a subcontracted employee at the facility, was identified as the suspect. Detectives executed a search warrant at Hughes’ residence, recovering lab and office equipment valued at several hundred thousand dollars.
On November 19, Hughes surrendered at Troop 2. He faced charges of felony theft and selling stolen property with prior convictions. After his arraignment by Justice of the Peace Court 2, he was released on his recognizance.
Woman Arrested for Prescription Drug Theft at Selbyville Supermarket
**Selbyville, DE** – The Delaware State Police apprehended Deanna Chambers, a 59-year-old resident of Georgetown, Delaware, for stealing a controlled substance over five months at a Harris Teeter in Selbyville.
On Sunday at around 1:19 p.m., troopers responded to a reported theft at the store located at 31221 Americana Parkway. An internal investigation by Harris Teeter’s Asset Protection revealed that Chambers, an employee, had stolen tramadol pills multiple times from July through November. Troopers arrested her at her home on Wednesday.
Chambers was taken to Troop 4 for processing, where she faced multiple charges before her release on a $4,000 unsecured bond. She was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2.
The charges against Chambers include the felony of acquiring or attempting to acquire a controlled substance by theft and theft under $1,500.
Motor Vehicle Theft Reported on South Franklin Street
**Wilkes-Barre, PA** – Authorities responded to a theft involving a motor vehicle on South Franklin Street on November 20, 7:20 a.m.
A 37-year-old male from Philadelphia reported that his 2021 red Hyundai Tucson had been removed from the 500 block of South Franklin Street.
The vehicle bore Pennsylvania registration MJW-7266.
Officers were called to the scene following the victim’s report concerning the theft.
Queens Man Charged in Network Cable and Wi-Fi Theft
**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced that Kong Gao has been charged with fraudulent making of an electronic access device and criminal possession of forgery devices. This is in relation to a large-scale theft of network cable streaming and Wi-Fi services in Flushing and Whitestone.
Gao, aged 35, allegedly manufactured approximately 200 modem devices embedded with malware that mimics legitimate services like Spectrum, operated by Charter Communications. On Friday, Gao was arraigned, and he faces a potential maximum sentence of seven years if convicted of the top count. Judge Marty Lentz has ordered Gao to return to court on January 16, 2025.
In April, Charter Communications launched an investigation into widespread unauthorized use of their services, identifying about 6,000 cloned accounts. The investigation, assisted by a private investigative firm, linked Gao to advertisements offering fraudulent Wi-Fi services and modem installations. Authorities executed a search warrant at Gao’s residence on November 14.
The search at Gao’s Whitestone residence uncovered 200 modems intended for sale, along with tools and malware programs used to infiltrate Charter’s services. The scheme’s estimated impact exceeds $1 million in
Brooklyn, NY – New York City Employee Indicted for $624,000 Pension Theft
A Brooklyn man has been arraigned on charges of stealing approximately $624,000 from two retired New York City employees’ pensions. The charges include corrupting the government, grand larceny, identity theft, and offering a false instrument for filing.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber announced the indictment of Gregory Mathieu, 40, of Canarsie, Brooklyn. Mathieu worked as an Associate Retirement Benefits Examiner at the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS). He allegedly exploited his position to divert pension checks to himself from February 8, 2021, to January 2, 2024.
Mathieu is accused of reactivating suspended pension payments of a deceased retired Department of Sanitation supervisor and stealing retroactive and monthly payments totaling approximately $242,000. Additionally, he allegedly stole $199,000 from a 75-year-old retired Associated Railroad Signal Specialist by diverting funds from an account suspended due to uncashed checks.
Mathieu is suspended with pay and was released without bail after his arraignment before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. He
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Angel Nunez, 57, formerly of Troy, N.Y., pleaded guilty Tuesday to 15 indictments stemming from his involvement in an organized theft ring targeting Berkshire Bank locations last…
FLEMINGTON, N.J. — A 38-year-old man from Asbury has been charged with theft by deception and tax-related offenses after authorities allege he defrauded a 91-year-old Clarksburg man of $400,000 through…
NEWARK, N.J. — Authorities are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect captured on surveillance video stealing a package from a Newark residence earlier this week. The theft occurred…
NEWARK, N.J. — Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in the theft of a duffel bag outside a residence in Newark earlier this week.…
Priest Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft of Church Donations
**HARRISBURG, PA** – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that George Athanasiou, a Washington County-based priest, has pleaded guilty to felony theft. Athanasiou was charged with misappropriating hundreds of church donation checks, which he signed and deposited via ATM transactions for personal use.
Athanasiou, 37, served as a priest at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg when he illicitly signed, endorsed, and deposited the checks. On Wednesday, he appeared in Washington County Court and paid $155,000 in restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for February 18, 2025.
The investigation by the Office of Attorney General revealed over 200 unauthorized ATM transactions involving the church’s donation checks from 2022 to 2023. Video evidence demonstrated Athanasiou endorsing and depositing these checks via ATM. During a police interview, the priest admitted to stealing and endorsing checks without permission.
Attorney General Henry condemned the actions, emphasizing that the priest betrayed parishioners by stealing funds meant for the church community. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry.
WASHINGTON, DC — Police are searching for three suspects involved in a retail theft and assault that occurred last week in Northwest Washington and are asking for the public’s help…
NEWARK, N.J. — Eight men have been charged for allegedly orchestrating an interstate luxury car theft ring that targeted high-end vehicles across New Jersey, New York, and other states, U.S.…
NORTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. — The North Plainfield Police Department is investigating a theft that occurred in the early hours of November 3, in which an unidentified individual reportedly took an…
RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond Police are investigating a package theft that occurred at a business on the 2000 block of Brook Road in the early hours of October 23. According…
Former PTA President Faces Charges in $41,000 Theft Case
**Queens, NY** – The Queens District Attorney’s office announced the charging of Athena Gonzalez, former parent teacher association president of P.S. 166 in Astoria, for grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. Gonzalez allegedly diverted more than $41,000 from the school’s PTA funds for personal use.
District Attorney Melinda Katz outlined how Gonzalez, as PTA president, transferred funds intended for the school into her own account, using the money for personal expenses, such as trips to Six Flags Great Adventure and Kalahari Resorts. Katz emphasized that the funds were collected by families at P.S. 166 to benefit the school and its students.
Gonzalez, 33, from Greenvale, was arraigned Thursday evening before Judge Julieta Lozano. She is required to return to court on December 3. If convicted, she faces a potential sentence ranging from 2 1/3 to seven years imprisonment.
The defendant, elected as PTA president in July 2023, reportedly deposited several checks totaling $41,315.87 into her personal account from December 2023 to July 2024. She is also accused of misusing a PTA debit
Brooklyn Man Faces Charges for Stolen Property and Identity Theft
**Queens, NY** – Jamil Brown has been charged with various crimes, including criminal possession of stolen property and identity theft. A court-authorized search of his Brooklyn home revealed stolen bank checks, credit cards, debit cards, and driver’s licenses. Brown’s girlfriend, Kadija Corke, was also arrested during the search. The investigation was initiated following a report of fraudulent charges on a credit card by a resident of Laurelton.
Brown, 32, was arraigned on a 152-count complaint with multiple charges related to possession of stolen property and identity theft. He is expected to return to court on November 19 and may face a sentence ranging up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Corke, 31, was similarly charged and will appear in court on December 11. Her potential maximum sentence could reach 15 years in prison if she is found guilty.
The investigation revealed that Brown used a secondary credit card issued to the victim’s husband for unauthorized purchases across several retail stores. Video evidence and location data allegedly place Brown at the scenes of these fraudulent transactions. Law enforcement executed a search on October 28 at 7:00 a.m., leading
Wall Township Resident Pleads Guilty to Motor Vehicle Theft
**Toms River, NJ** – Jaquel Accoo, 29, from Wall Township, pled guilty to motor vehicle theft and witness tampering. This plea was made in the presence of Judge David M. Fritch, J.S.C., in relation to an incident in Toms River in October 2023. At his sentencing on January 3, 2025, the state will recommend a five-year prison term for each charge to run concurrently in New Jersey State Prison.
An individual reported his motor vehicle stolen on October 14, 2023, at the Toms River Township Police Headquarters. The investigation revealed that Accoo had not returned the borrowed vehicle and had sold it to an individual in Georgia. This led to a theft charge being filed against Accoo on November 22, 2023.
A warrant was issued for Accoo’s arrest, and he was placed in the National Crime Information Center database. The New York/New Jersey United States Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force, along with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, apprehended Accoo in Red Bank on January 22, 2024. He was released under New Jersey Bail Reform after being
Pennsylvania Retail Theft Ring Charges Announced
**HARRISBURG, PA** – Attorney General Michelle Henry and the Pennsylvania State Police have charged three alleged leaders of an organized retail theft ring. The group is accused of stealing merchandise, altering receipts, and making fraudulent returns at TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls stores, leading to $850,000 in illegal payouts.
The charges stem from an investigation by the 50th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. Nine individuals are implicated in the fraud and theft scheme, which began in 2022. The alleged leaders, Davon Whitfield, Naima Scott, and Zonay Griffin, face charges including corrupt organizations, organized retail theft, and forgery.
The criminal enterprise reportedly exploited return policies at TJX Companies, which operates T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, HomeSense, and Sierra. Merchandise was stolen and later returned for store credit, which was used for further purchases and converted to refunds on defendants’ debit cards.
In total, around 1,500 transactions tied to Whitfield, Scott, and Griffin accrued more than $700,000. Additional members charged are Shakeira Vivan, Miara Armstead, Harry Anderson, Lamar Washington, Jasmine
Richmond Police Seek Assistance in Copper Theft Investigation
**Richmond, VA** – Third Precinct detectives in Richmond are investigating incidents involving the theft of copper downspouts in the Museum District.
During one such incident, two men, dressed in dark clothing, were captured on a doorbell camera removing copper downspouts from a residence. The incident occurred at approximately 4:32 AM on Sunday in the 2400 block of Hanover Avenue.
Detectives request public assistance in identifying the individuals involved. They urge homeowners to check their doorbell or home surveillance footage and reach out if they notice any suspicious activity.
Information about these thefts can be reported to Third Precinct Detective E. Sandlin at (804) 646-1010 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
Harford County Sheriff’s Office Apprehends Suspects in Theft Attempt
**Joppatowne, MD** – The Harford County Sheriff’s Office announced the charging of two individuals following an attempted theft and assault incident. The event occurred on Thursday at approximately 12:08 a.m. at the Royal Farms store on Joppa Farm Road.
During a routine patrol, a deputy was alerted by store employees about an ongoing robbery, which was later clarified as theft. Inside the store, the deputy encountered two suspects attempting to steal cigarettes behind the counter. Commands issued to the suspects were ignored, resulting in a physical altercation.
One suspect fled the scene, while the other, Justin Corey Cotten, 25, from Reisterstown, assaulted the deputy and escaped on foot. The deputy sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital. Cotten was apprehended later that evening with help from the HCSO K9 unit and the Maryland State Police Aviation Command.
Cotten faces charges including attempted theft and assault on a deputy and is being held without bond at the Harford County Detention Center. The second suspect has been identified, with charges filed and handed to the HCSO Warrant Apprehension Unit. The investigation continues