Lacey Man Forged Checks, Credit Card Payments: Prosecutor

LACEY, NJ — A Lacey man faces charges after stealing more than $200,000 from his girlfriend with unauthorized checks and a credit card, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lacey Township Police Chief Michael DiBella said in a joint statement Friday.

Ross Miserendino, 55, of Lacey and Enrique Roldan, 42, of Jackson have been charged with theft. Miserendino was also charged with uttering a forged instrument, fraudulent use of a credit card and making a false statement in procuring issuance of a credit card.

An investigation found that Miserendino’s girlfriend had medical issues arise, which caused her to be temporarily unable to manage her finances beginning in 2019.

Miserendino agreed to assist her by paying her bills. He was given access to her checks and bank account information for that purpose, authorities said.

Between 2019 and 2020, Miserendino signed her name without her authorization on 146 checks totaling $171,000. Most of the checks were written out to Roldan, while others were addressed directly to Miserendino, authorities said. Both Roldan and Miserendino shared in the proceeds of the theft.

Police found that Miserendino opened an American Express credit card in her name without her authorization, and made about $34,000 worth of charges on that card for his benefit, according to authorities.

Miserendino also stole about $11,000 worth of personal property from the woman’s home in Lacey during that time period, authorities said.

Miserendino and Roldan were processed and released on a summons pending a future court date.

Billhimer and DiBella acknowledged the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and the Lacey Township Police Department for their collaborative efforts in this investigation.

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