NY Man Swindled Gloucester Township Resident Out Of $27K: Police
GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A New York man has been charged in a bail scheme that swindled New Jersey residents across the state, including Gloucester Township, out of thousands of dollars, authorities announced on Thursday.
Osvaldo Thomas, 41, of Bronx, N.Y., has been charged in South Brunswick, Bound Brook, Sussex County, Gloucester Township, and Cherry Hill, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer, Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins, and Cherry Hill Police Chief William “Bud” Monaghan.
In Gloucester Township, he’s charged with one count of third-degree impersonation and one count of third-degree theft by deception.
In Cherry Hill, Thomas is charged with one count of third-degree impersonation, one count of third-degree theft by deception and one count of third-degree conspiracy to commit theft by deception.
Detectives said Thomas was part of a scheme targeting elderly victims who were told a family member was in jail and needed money to post bond.
Further investigation uncovered surveillance footage showing a man, identified as Thomas, and his vehicle as he went to the victims’ homes to collect the money, authorities said.
Police said Thomas was able to steal $27,000 from the Gloucester Township victim, and $10,300 from a victim in Cherry Hill.
“This was a joint effort, and we are thankful to Gloucester Township Police and Cherry Hill Police for their collective hard work,” Mayer said.
Thomas is being held in the Camden County Jail awaiting a pretrial detention hearing.
This article originally appeared on the Gloucester Township Patch
