A Westmoreland County man has been accused of stealing over $110,000 from a relative’s financial accounts.
Ronald Palicka faces theft, access device fraud, and receiving stolen goods charges in connection with the event, according to a news release from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office.
According to the news release, Palicka transferred funds from the victim’s account to his own personal accounts to pay for numerous expenses and subscriptions, including Chewy, cable TV, Apple, Omaha Steaks, and Advanced Auto. The district attorney’s office stated that the man from Jeannette stole more than $118,000 from the victim’s accounts.
According to the district attorney’s office, the inquiry began when the victim’s grandson phoned the North Huntingdon Township Police Department and stated that a relative had been withdrawing money from the victim’s bank account for years.
Police received documentation and bank statements indicating transactions dating back to December 2023, and detectives discovered that Palicka was granted power of attorney over the victim in 2011, according to the district attorney’s office.
According to the news release, investigators received a $12,000 check made out to Palicka from the victim’s account in 2021, while police suspect the crimes began as early as July 2020.
According to online court records, Palicka is scheduled to return to court later this month for his preliminary hearing. He was brought to the Westmoreland County Jail, but later paid his $125,000 bond, according to online court records.
Leave a Reply