GARY, Ind. – A Gary Police Officer admitted he stole a home from and drained the credit union account of his elderly former neighbor who suffered from Alzheimer's disease and has agreed to repay $116,765 to the woman's estate.
Sgt. Joshua Wiley admitted in court he knew that his neighbor, Helen Chentnik, who died in December 2006, at age 89, was not competent to make financial decisions on her own behalf.
Wiley told authorities he emptied Chentnik's U.S. FCU account between Dec. 27, 2002 and Sept. 3, 2005 by using his influence on the elderly victim or by using her ATM-debit card to withdraw cash or buy items and services without Chentnik's consent.
He also obtained a fraudulent quit claim deed to Chentnik's home and recorded the deed, knowing that it was signed by him while claiming to have Chentnik's power of attorney.
The 51-year-old police officer was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to restitution of $53,255 within 30 days and the remaining $62,765 in monthly installments of $1,000, also starting within 30 days.
