Newark man arrested for ripping off grandmother

David E. Lancaster

When the 87-year-old woman went through her check book she noticed two entries made out to cash, one for $900, the other for $800. She immediately called the bank and discovered the checks for a total of $1700, had been cashed. She call the Clifton Springs Police Department who discovered the checks were cashed at the Lyons National Bank office in Newark .

Newark Police Investigator Jay Warren was in the midst of investigating the crimes when a call came in that someone was attempting to cash a third stolen and forged check. Taken into custody on Wednesday was David E. Lancaster, age 23, of 4130 Pilgrimport Road in the Town of Lyons . He was charged with three counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument in the 2nd Degree.

Lancaster, who has a police record for Reckless Endangerment, Stalking, Criminal Contempt, Sex Abuse, Assault, Menacing, Unlawful Imprisonment and Harassment was arraigned before Village Justice Daniel Barrett and released on his own recognizance. He will reappear in Newark Village Court on February 13th.

Lancaster indicated the money was used for truck repairs and claimed his grandmother knew he had taken the checks and he forged them due to her inability to write due to her arthritis.

Wayne County District Attorney Rick Healy said he would present the case to a grand jury.