Commack, NY - January 26, 2016 - Suffolk County Police Identity Theft Section detectives and First Precinct Crime Section officers have arrested a Commack man for stealing more than $255,000 to support a heroin habit and gambling addiction.
Michael Katcher used his 21-year-old daughter’s information and a long-time friend’s information to open numerous fraudulent business accounts and credit cards. Between July 2015 and November 2015, Katcher used access to his friend’s company, Alpine Limousine based in New York City, to steal numerous customers’ credit card information to conduct fraudulent transactions. In addition, Katcher stole more than $255,000 which he admitted to using to support a $2,000 a week heroin habit and a $100,000 a year gambling habit.
The fraudulent companies Katcher created are:
TAK Transportation
Charmwood
McKewens Limousine
Katcher, 44, of Commack, is also being sued by numerous victims throughout Long Island and New York City for stealing more than $650,000 using a similar scheme. He was charged with three counts of Identity Theft 1st Degree, six counts of Forgery 2nd Degree, and Two counts of Issuing a Bad Check. Katcher will be held overnight at the First Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on January 27.
The investigation is continuing.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.