Woman Faces Grand Larceny Charges
By Nicholas L. Dean, ndean@post-journal.comFALCONER - A home health care aide has been charged with grand larceny for allegedly withdrawing $3,400 from the bank account of an elderly Falconer resident.
Heather A. Chapman, 29, of Price Street in Jamestown, was picked up Saturday by the Ellicott Police Department on an arrest warrant for the felony crime. She was arraigned before Judge Marilyn Gerace and held in Chautauqua County Jail.
According to Ellicott Police Chief William Ohnmeiss, family of the Falconer resident contacted police on June 9 about a number of withdrawals made on the victim's ATM card. Withdrawals made on the card dated back to April.
During the course of their investigation, police learned that the withdrawals were completed at a Falconer bank for cash at various times of the day. Investigators obtained surveillance video from the bank showing Chapman making withdrawals. According to police, the victim's home care is paid for by family members and there would have been no need for the amount of cash taken from the ATM for any care purpose.
The difference between petit and grand larceny is based on the amount of money or value of property stolen. In New York, grand larceny refers to amounts of $1,000 or more. According to Ohnmeiss, the town of Ellicott sees "quite a few" grand larceny cases each year.
"They're all different circumstances," Ohnmeiss explained. "Some are a person stealing through a business and they can be simply stealing merchandise out of a store to exceed that amount. This one turned into a felony because it was more than $1,000."
The investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending.
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pandora
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06-26-09 7:31 AM
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A home health care aide does not mean the family is not involved. Often the family relies on the aide to care for the elder when they are away at work. Two of my friends have aides for their elderly parents. Without these aides, my friends would not be able to go to work. Unfortunately this one will give the profession a black eye.
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MISSCHAUT
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06-23-09 10:27 AM
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people that prey on old people are the lowest form of human flesh! That is why family needs to stay involved when they have elderly relatives that need care.
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