RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, Penn. – A member of Franklin Mint FCU last week was charged with walking off with $11,050 that belonged to another member.
Lamount Muhammad, 59, spent Wednesday night in jail before posting bond, and is charged with theft of property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake, theft by unlawful taking or disposition, receiving stolen property, and theft by failing to make required disposition of funds.
Police said Muhammad stepped up to the teller window about 5 p.m. July 17, shortly before the teller mistakenly interpreted a cash withdrawal for another member. The member, who was in the remote line, wanted only $1,250 – but incorrectly wrote $12,500 on the withdrawal slip.
The teller then proceeded to withdraw the money in $50 bills from the cash-dispensing machine. The teller then placed $11,050 in two envelopes, and the balance of $1,450 in a third envelope. The two larger envelopes were placed in the service tube. Since the third envelope wouldn't fit in the tube, the teller delivered the third envelope directly to the member.
The member left without ever noticing the additional two envelopes in the service tube and Muhammad subsequently stepped up to the same window – finding the envelopes with the cash and allegedly walking away.
A review of the credit union's surveillance system shows Muhammad picking up the tube and exiting the branch. He made no transactions while at the credit union.
