Stephen Leyda, 24, of Augusta, (pictured) is accused of stealing $15,000 CASH from his own grandmother.
The suspect’s 77-year-old grandmother told authorities she had the cash on hand to pay taxes and that she kept eight envelopes containing the money in her purse laying by her bed. The victim said her grandson had been in and out of her home all day when it went missing.
“The victim stated that she went to count her money to be sure she had enough to pay her taxes when she observed six envelopes (missing), a report says. “The victim stated that she believed it was the suspect that had taken the money due to a past theft from her by the suspect amounting to $5,000.”
The grandmother told deputies that Leyda was no longer welcome at her home.
When officers talked to Leyda, he admitted the previous theft of $5,000, but said he had returned “some of the money” to avoid prosecution in that case.
After an investigation, Leyda was charged Friday with felony theft by taking.