The Berwick Police Department said on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, they began an investigation into a bank fraud complaint that occurred at a local bank.
Through the investigation, detectives determined a check writing scheme was arranged in which 57-year-old Lisa Fontenot, of Berwick, wrote checks from a closed bank account. Authorities also said 59-year-old Robert Burke Sr., of Patterson; 39-year-old Jeffry Gross, of Berwick; and 39-year-old Ashley Gross, of Berwick, would go to the bank to cash the check. After the check was cashed, each participant received an undisclosed amount of money. Video evidence and witness statements were obtained that corroborated the scheme. All suspects were brought in for interviews, and all suspects admitted to their involvement in the matter. Following the interviews, warrants were prepared for their arrest and on September 6th, all suspects were located and arrested.
A. Gross was already incarcerated in the Berwick Jail on unrelated charges; J. Gross and Burke were incarcerated in the Morgan City Jail on unrelated charges; and Fontenot was located at her residence and taken into custody. All subjects were processed at the Berwick Police Department where they remain in jail with no bond set at this time.
Ashley D. Gross, 39 years old, of Fourth St. Berwick, LA, was arrested on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 8:36AM, on the following charges:
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Bank Fraud
- Theft (Under $1,000)
- Attempted Theft (Under $1,000)
Jeffry Gross, 39 years old, of Fourth St. Berwick, LA, was arrested on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 11:43AM, on the following charges:
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Bank Fraud
- Theft (Under $1,000)
- Attempted Theft (Under $1,000)
Robert Burke, Sr., 59 years old, of Church St. Patterson, LA, was arrested on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 11:43AM, on the following charges:
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Bank Fraud
- Theft (Under $1,000)
- Attempted Theft (Under $1,000)
Lisa Fontenot, 57 years old, of River Rd. Berwick, LA, was arrested on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 2:01PM, on the following charges:
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Bank Fraud
- Theft (Under $1,000)
- Attempted Theft (Under $1,000)