Palm Harbor pest control owner accused of grand theft, forgery

PALM HARBOR A 58-year-old pest control owner was arrested Friday on charges that he altered checks from two elderly clients, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.

Richard James Macdonald of Palm Harbor faces charges of grand theft, exploitation of an elderly person, and forgery.

Detectives began their investigation in August when a legally blind woman reported she had unauthorized amounts of money taken out of her bank account from checks she had given to Macdonald, who owns Rich's Termite and Pest Control.

They learned of a second woman who said Macdonald also altered checks she had given him for work. Detectives believe he forged several checks since March 2011. The victims are 98 and 87 years old.

The Sheriff's Office also discovered he was running his business without a license.

Macdonald was booked into the Pinellas County jail, where he remained Friday afternoon in lieu of $65,000 bail.

Palm Harbor pest control owner accused of grand theft, forgery 03/06/15 [Last modified: Friday, March 6, 2015 2:08pm] Photo reprints | Article reprints

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Palm Harbor pest control owner accused of grand theft, forgery