THEFT/EMBEZZLEMENT ARREST - S. TORRES
News Date: Monday, April 7, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THEFT/EMBEZZLEMENT ARREST
THEFT/EMBEZZLEMENT ARREST
DEFENDANT: Santiago J. Torres (41 years of age)
Sinking Spring, PA
Sinking Spring, PA
Santiago J. Torres
CHARGES: Theft by Deception - 17 counts (F2)
Identity Theft - 11 counts (F2)
Forgery - 11 counts (F2)
Access Device Used to Obtain/Attempt to Obtain Property - 7 counts (F3)
DETAILS OF INCIDENT:
In August of 2024, the Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives initiated a criminal investigation into allegations of theft and embezzlement after it was reported that the defendant had deceptively solicited financial investments from various acquaintances and members of his extended family.
The investigation revealed that between 2011-2024, the defendant personally solicited financial investments from various friends and extended family members. The defendant promised lucrative rates of return on these investments. Over time, the interest payments promised to the various victims began to diminish. As various victims became concerned about the status of their financial investments, several contacted the financial entities where they had been told that their money was invested. The victims discovered that these financial institutions had no record of their investments and that no such investment account even existed.
A total of eleven (11) victims have been identified. Furthermore, it has been determined that over a period of several years, approximately $750,000 was provided to the defendant by the various victims under the belief that their money was being invested in annuities, CD’s, and other financial investment products. Additionally, detectives determined that the defendant had also opened a joint bank account, had taken out several loans, and had obtained numerous credit cards in the names of two (2) of his extended family members who were unaware that this had occurred. To date, approximately $468,000 is still owed by the defendant to the victims, to various financial institutions and to numerous credit card companies.
On Monday, April 7, 2025, the defendant was charged with numerous counts of Theft by Deception, Identity Theft, Forgery, and Access Device Used to Obtain or Attempt to Obtain Property/Service. A warrant of arrest was issued for the defendant by MDJ Ann L. Young.
On Monday, April 7, 2025, the defendant, accompanied by his attorney, surrendered to members of the Berks County Detectives.
The defendant was transported to the Central Processing Center located at the Berks County Courthouse where he currently awaits his preliminary arraignment.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest has occurred or that a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Identity Theft - 11 counts (F2)
Forgery - 11 counts (F2)
Access Device Used to Obtain/Attempt to Obtain Property - 7 counts (F3)
DETAILS OF INCIDENT:
In August of 2024, the Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives initiated a criminal investigation into allegations of theft and embezzlement after it was reported that the defendant had deceptively solicited financial investments from various acquaintances and members of his extended family.
The investigation revealed that between 2011-2024, the defendant personally solicited financial investments from various friends and extended family members. The defendant promised lucrative rates of return on these investments. Over time, the interest payments promised to the various victims began to diminish. As various victims became concerned about the status of their financial investments, several contacted the financial entities where they had been told that their money was invested. The victims discovered that these financial institutions had no record of their investments and that no such investment account even existed.
A total of eleven (11) victims have been identified. Furthermore, it has been determined that over a period of several years, approximately $750,000 was provided to the defendant by the various victims under the belief that their money was being invested in annuities, CD’s, and other financial investment products. Additionally, detectives determined that the defendant had also opened a joint bank account, had taken out several loans, and had obtained numerous credit cards in the names of two (2) of his extended family members who were unaware that this had occurred. To date, approximately $468,000 is still owed by the defendant to the victims, to various financial institutions and to numerous credit card companies.
On Monday, April 7, 2025, the defendant was charged with numerous counts of Theft by Deception, Identity Theft, Forgery, and Access Device Used to Obtain or Attempt to Obtain Property/Service. A warrant of arrest was issued for the defendant by MDJ Ann L. Young.
On Monday, April 7, 2025, the defendant, accompanied by his attorney, surrendered to members of the Berks County Detectives.
The defendant was transported to the Central Processing Center located at the Berks County Courthouse where he currently awaits his preliminary arraignment.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest has occurred or that a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.