On 2/3/23 The Pine Creek Township Police Department arrested Kathy M. Lachat, 60, of Pine Creek Township on an arrest warrant following an investigation that began in December 2022.
Kathy Lachat has been charged with 185 counts of Identity Theft, 2 counts of Access Device Fraud, 1 count of Financial Exploitation of an older adult, 2 counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking and 2 counts of Receiving Stolen Property, all Felony 3 along with 2 counts of Access Device Fraud, Misdemeanor 3.
In December 2022 the guardian of a 72-year-old female victim reported to police suspicious activity on the victim’s bank and credit card statements. The guardian reported that Kathy Lachat has been friends with the victim since early 2020 and was at the victim’s residence almost daily. Lachat would be trusted to do grocery shopping for the victim and run errands.
Through the investigation it was discovered that beginning in mid-2020 Lachat would use the victims card to purchase items for the victim and do a second transaction to purchase items for herself. It is alleged that while Lachat was in possession of the victims card Lachat would use it to make other personal purchases for herself at numerous locations and on somedays numerous transactions in a single day.
Video surveillance was obtained on many of the transactions and Lachat was observed in the videos using the victims card to purchase items for herself. On numerous occasions Lachat was observed in the videos using the victims card to purchase lottery tickets.
It is estimated that Kathy Lachat used the victims cards for personal purchases totaling over $15,500.
Kathy Lachat was transported to the Clinton County Correctional Facility and was detained on a probation violation detainer and arraigned on the above charges.
Lachat was arraigned by District Judge Kibler and bail was set at $10,000 monetary. Lachat was unable to post bail and committed to the Clinton County Correctional Facility.
Docket Sheet
Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
