Trusted "friend" arrested for forging checks

New Castle, De. - April 11, 2008 On Thursday (4/10) at 7:30 a.m., County Police were called to a home in the 100 block of Birch Street for a report of stolen and forged checks. When the officer arrived, he contacted the 90 year old victim who reported she recently began receiving notices from her bank regarding insufficient funds in her account. The victim told police she was on a fixed income and had been paying a friend (Linda Lozada) to help her pay her bills and purchase groceries. She discovered Lozada was changing the amounts on the checks after she had endorsed them.

The investigation has revealed the victim would pay Lozada a weekly fee (by check) for helping her with her finances. After receiving the check, Lozada would alter the amount and cash the check without the victim's knowledge. In at least one incident, she stole a check, endorsed it herself and cashed it again without the victim's knowledge.

Lozada was arrested Thursday and charged with 11 counts of forgery and one count of theft. She has been arraigned and released on $5,750 unsecured bail.