News
Police allege scam, theft
By Andrew Amelinckx
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Two Columbia County residents were charged in unrelated grand larceny cases by the New York State Police at Livingston Monday.
Wayne R. Williams Sr., 50, of Hudson allegedly scammed a local volunteer fire company out of close to $3,500 during a fundraiser, while Heather L. Johnson, 39, of Ghent used the debit card of someone whose house she was painting and stole thousands, according to police.
In the first case, Williams allegedly purchased a roll of tickets that matched the ones being sold at the annual NYS Volunteer Firemen’s softball tournament held at the Firemen’s Home in Hudson and used them to purchase food and beverages.
The money collected at the event from concession sales was to benefit the Greenport Pumper Company Number 1.
According to NYS Police Sr. Inv. Gary Mazzacano, the concession stand was “pushing out more, but there was less profit” and soon they found out why.
“He said he was giving the tickets away,” said Mazzacano. “We’re looking into the truth of that as well as to the culpability of those who used the tickets.”
Mazzacano stressed that Williams was not a fireman.
Williams was charged with third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony, and released on his own recognizance after being arraigned in Hudson City Court by Judge Richard Koweek.
He is scheduled to appear back in court Nov. 17.
In the second case, Johnson unlawfully used someone’s debit card over the course of four months, stealing more than $3,500, said police.
According to Mazzacano, Johnson got a job painting the victim’s house through her boyfriend, who did odd jobs for the victim.
“He recommended her,” said the Sr. Investigator.
Johnson was originally given the card to purchase paint, said authorities, but kept it and illegally withdrew the money.
When the victim later went to the bank, said Mazzacano, she realized the money was gone.
Johnson has been charged with third-degree grand larceny. She is scheduled to appear in Stuyvesant Town Court 6 p.m. Wednesday.
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To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com
Wayne R. Williams Sr., 50, of Hudson allegedly scammed a local volunteer fire company out of close to $3,500 during a fundraiser, while Heather L. Johnson, 39, of Ghent used the debit card of someone whose house she was painting and stole thousands, according to police.
In the first case, Williams allegedly purchased a roll of tickets that matched the ones being sold at the annual NYS Volunteer Firemen’s softball tournament held at the Firemen’s Home in Hudson and used them to purchase food and beverages.
The money collected at the event from concession sales was to benefit the Greenport Pumper Company Number 1.
According to NYS Police Sr. Inv. Gary Mazzacano, the concession stand was “pushing out more, but there was less profit” and soon they found out why.
“He said he was giving the tickets away,” said Mazzacano. “We’re looking into the truth of that as well as to the culpability of those who used the tickets.”
Mazzacano stressed that Williams was not a fireman.
Williams was charged with third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony, and released on his own recognizance after being arraigned in Hudson City Court by Judge Richard Koweek.
He is scheduled to appear back in court Nov. 17.
In the second case, Johnson unlawfully used someone’s debit card over the course of four months, stealing more than $3,500, said police.
According to Mazzacano, Johnson got a job painting the victim’s house through her boyfriend, who did odd jobs for the victim.
“He recommended her,” said the Sr. Investigator.
Johnson was originally given the card to purchase paint, said authorities, but kept it and illegally withdrew the money.
When the victim later went to the bank, said Mazzacano, she realized the money was gone.
Johnson has been charged with third-degree grand larceny. She is scheduled to appear in Stuyvesant Town Court 6 p.m. Wednesday.
***
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com
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