Warrant Issued for Emlenton Woman Accused of Stealing Over $200k from 67-Year-Old Man

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published October 3, 2018 4:26 am
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EMLENTON, Pa. (EYT) — A warrant has been issued for an Emlenton woman accused of stealing over $200,000.00 from a 67-year-old man.

According to court documents, Emlenton Police Department filed the following criminal charges against 36-year-old Billie Louise Martinez of Emlenton:

  • Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 1
  • Receiving Stolen Property, Felony 1
  • Access Device Issued to Another Who Did Not Authorize Use, Felony 3

According to a criminal complaint, on April 4, Emlenton Borough Police Chief Dan Siegel was contacted by a representative of the Venango County Protective, Intake, and Crisis Unit for assistance with the court-ordered removal of a known 67-year-old male victim from the household of Billie Martinez.

Information was relayed to Chief Siegel that the victim had been living with Martinez for approximately two years and was not attending necessary doctor and optometrist appointments. Chief Siegel also discovered that Martinez was utilizing the victim’s bank account and making unlawful withdrawals.

According to the complaint, upon serving the court order at Martinez’s residence, Chief Siegel made contact with the victim.

The complaint states that Chief Siegel observed sub-standard living conditions where multiple individuals gathered and large dogs roamed, with the interior of the household dirty and unkempt. The victim’s living space consisted of a mattress that was lying on the floor in a crowded living room among other furniture, and the victim had little to no possessions when removed from the residence.

According to the complaint, further investigation showed that Martinez obtained, kept, and withheld the victim’s debit card and was making numerous withdrawals from various ATM machines in Butler and Venango Counties. Video surveillance was gathered at five ATM locations showing Martinez withdrawing the victim’s money. The surveillance also shows Martinez dividing and dispersing these funds to family members.

Martinez also obtained large sums of cash from the victim with no intentions of repaying or reimbursement, according to the complaint.

Bank records obtained by police showed that between April 2015 through April 2018 a total of 218 ATM transactions, 214 cash withdrawals, and 26 cash checks were made from the victim’s bank account, totaling $205,559.75, the complaint indicates.

Based on the investigation, charges were filed on Monday, September 24, in Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey’s office.

Authorities have issued a warrant for Martinez’s arrest.

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