PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — A Miami man has been charged with stealing $180,000 from a Navy Federal Credit Unionmember after allegedly posing as a credit union employee in a phone scam.
Pembroke Pines News, citing an arrest report from the Pembroke Pines Police Department, reported that Jonathan Wilcher, 40, called the victim on July 8 while claiming to be a Navy Federal Credit Union employee. Police allege Wilcher told the member the person’s credit card had been compromised, prompting the victim to provide account information.
Investigators said the victim later discovered that $180,000 had been withdrawn from the account without authorization. The member told police he did not approve the transaction or authorize a check made payable to Checkman Store LLC, a company allegedly associated with Wilcher, according to the report.
Company Has Been Dissolved
Pembroke Pines News reported that Florida business records show Checkman Store LLC was dissolved by the state in 2023 after failing to file a required annual report.
According to investigators, Wilcher deposited the check at Navy Federal Credit Union’s Pembroke Pines branch on July 9 and received $40,000 in cash along with a $40,000 cashier’s check.
Police said Navy Federal employees identified Wilcher when he returned to the branch on July 10 to cash the cashier’s check. He was arrested at about 3 p.m., according to the arrest report. Investigators also used surveillance video from the credit union as part of the investigation, Pembroke Pines News reported.
Booked and Released
Wilcher was booked into the Broward Main Jail on charges of first-degree grand theft involving more than $100,000, second-degree grand theft involving between $20,000 and $100,000, and fraudulent misrepresentation.
Jail records cited by Pembroke Pines News indicated Wilcher was no longer in custody as of July 14.
The allegations against Wilcher have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless convicted.
