Delaware County DA: Man stole more than $500,000 from employer

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) -- An Essington man has been arrested in a case involving theft from his employer of 13 years, the Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Jeffrey McElwee, 53, is facing multiple charges including theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and theft by deception and false impersonation.

An investigation was launched by the D.A.'s office in February after McElwee's employer John Jenzano, the owner of Power Source Repair in Collingdale, and the company's accountant contacted them.

Police said the employer discovered McElwee, the company's former bookkeeper, had been stealing from Jenzano's line of credit account through ATM transactions made during a four-year period.

The employer also determined McElwee made numerous unauthorized ATM withdrawals during that same period, police said.

The D.A.'s office obtained a search warrant for McElwee's TD Bank and Santander accounts, which revealed, since 2002, he issued 399 unauthorized checks to himself totaling $574,447.19, police said.

Between May 2011 to January 2015, police said bank statements from Jenzano's line of credit account revealed McElwee made 257 unauthorized ATM withdrawals totaling $122,184.50.

Police said in total McElwee is being charged with $696,631.69 in theft from Power Source Repair.

"From the very start of his employment, the defendant knowingly and fraudulently stole from his employer, depositing hundreds of thousands of dollars into his personal accounts. He took advantage of his employer's trust, and he will be held accountable for his actions," said Whelan.

McElwee was arrested on Aug. 27, and is being held on 10% of $100,000 bail.