Crime & Safety
UPDATE: Calls From Public May Lead to More Charges for Alleged Scammer
According to police, Ellen Burkheimer pretended she was representing Head Start, an educational program kids from for low-income families.
Updated: Det. Sgt. Michael Fitzharris said that as of early Wednesday evening, police had already received a couple of calls from members of the public saying they had been scammed by Burkheimer themselves.
"Hopefully the additional complainants may or may not support evidence related to the scheme," Fitzharris said. "And there could possibly be additional charges."
In addition, Fitzharris said Burkheimer had created a false IRS document to lend credibility to her story – which had led to the felony forgery charges.
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"The IRS document took it to another level. She admitted that," he said.
Fitzharris added that in addition to being seen in the Centereach area, Burkheimer had been illegally soliciting funds in Lake Grove as well.
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Original story: Police said a Port Jefferson Station woman was recently arrested after she was caught attempting to scam people for donations for a children's educational program, while using the money to buy drugs.
Police responded responded to a location on Route 25 in Centereach around 3 p.m. on Saturday, reportedly finding Ellen Burkheimer pretending to represent Head Start, which provides education and health services for children in low-income families.
According to police, Burkheimer had fraudulent documents in her possession as part of the scheme and further investigation revealed that she was using funds that she received to purchase heroin, pay her rent and for other various personal expenses.
She was charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, a felony, as well as misdemeanor charges of scheme to defraud in the second degree and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument.
According to online court records, she was held on $3,000 cash bail, which she was unable to pay, and is due back in court on Friday.
Detectives are asking anyone with information about her reported scheme to call the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
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