Empty envelopes lead to real criminal charges
A Butler man is accused of depositing empty envelopes into an ATM and withdrawing funds that he did not have, authorities said.
Jason E. Vogan, 43, managed to steal more than $2,400 in the alleged scheme, according to court documents.
Butler police Wednesday arrested Vogan on a felony charge of theft by deception. He was arraigned in the case and placed in the Butler County Prison.
While he was given a recognizance bond in the case he remains in the county jail on a bench warrant out of Venango County.
Police began their investigation Nov. 22 when an official with First National Bank filed a fraud report. The bank, according to court documents, identified the defendant as a customer who was making fraudulent deposits.
He is accused of making six deposits totaling $10,200 using empty envelopes that were deposited in June and July 2017 at the First Commonwealth Bank ATM in downtown Butler.
“Vogan then withdrew money,” according to a police affidavit, “prior to the discovery of the empty envelopes.”
