Ocean County authorities announced that on June 23, and June 24, 2021, Mr. Ross Miserendino, 55, of Lacey Township, and Mr. Enrique Roldan, 42, of Jackson, were charged with Theft in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3.
Police said Miserendino was also charged with one count of Theft in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3; Uttering a Forged Instrument in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21- 1a(3); Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6h; and Making a False Statement in Procuring Issuance of a Credit Card in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21- 6h.
The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Lacey Township Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad.
According to police, the investigation revealed that beginning in 2019, the victim of these offenses had medical issues arise which caused her to be temporarily unable to manage her finances.
Miserendino, whom was in a romantic relationship with the victim at the time, agreed to assist her by paying her bills for her, and was given access to her checks and bank account information for that purpose.
Police said between 2019 and 2020, Miserendino signed the victim’s name without her authorization on 146 checks totaling $171,000.
The majority of those checks were written out to Enrique Roldan, while others were written directly to Miserendino. Both Roldan and Miserendino shared in the proceeds of the theft.
Additionally, during that time period Miserendino stole approximately $11,000 worth of personal property located at the victim’s residence in Lacey Township.
Miserendino also obtained an American Express credit card in the victim’s name without her authorization, and subsequently made approximately $34,000 worth of charges on that card for his benefit.
Miserendino and Roldan were processed and released on a summons pending a future court date.