Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Economic Crimes Unit

Richard James Macdonald (Arrested)
DOB: 4/3/1956
Address: 1330 Georgia Avenue, Palm Harbor
Charges: 1 count Grand Theft from persons 65 years of age or older; 1 count Exploitation of Elderly Person; 1 count Uttering Forged Instrument

The two victims are elderly females, 98 and 87 years of age, that were known to the suspect. Per Fl Statute 415.107(1) no other information will be released that would tend to identify the victims.

What:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit have arrested a suspect for grand theft, exploitation of elderly and uttering a forged instrument after he altered payment checks made to him by the elderly victims.

When:
The incident occurred on multiple occasions from approximately March 2011 to the fall of 2014. Detectives began their investigation in August of 2014. The suspect was arrested at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2015.

Where:
The crime occurred at both victim’s private residences in the Palm Harbor area. 

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit have arrested a suspect for grand theft, exploitation of elderly and uttering a forged instrument after he altered payment checks made to him by the elderly victims.

Detectives began their investigation in August of 2014 after it was reported that one of the female victims had unauthorized amounts of money taken from checks she had written to the suspect.

According to detectives, the suspect owned a termite and pest control business and would provide services to the female victim. The victim would in turn provide payment via check to the suspect. The suspect, knowing the victim was elderly and legally blind, would then alter the checks for a different amount and deposit them into his bank account.

Through various investigative techniques, detectives were able to locate an additional victim who also had checks altered by the suspect.

The suspect altered checks of both victims on multiple occasions from approximately March 2011 to the fall of 2014.

The suspect was identified as 58-year-old Richard James Macdonald, who owns Rich’s Termite and Pest Control.

Detectives met with Macdonald on Friday, March 6, 2015 and arrested him for 1 count Grand Theft from persons 65 years of age or older; 1 count Exploitation of Elderly Person; 1 count Uttering Forged Instrument.

It should be noted that during their investigation, it became known that Macdonald was providing pest control services through his business without a license. That is currently being investigated at this time.

Macdonald was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident.

The investigation continues. 

Booking Photo Richard Macdonald