Commack Man Stole $255K to Support $2,000 a Week Heroin Addiction, $100K a Year Gambling Habit: Police

A 44-year-old Commack man told police that he stole more than $255,000 in order to support a $2,000 a week heroin addiction and a $100,000 a year gambling habit, police said.

Michael Katcher was arrested on Monday and charged with three counts of first degree identity theft, six counts of second degree forgery and two counts of Issuing a bad check.

According to police, Katcher used his 21-year-old daughter’s information and a long-time friend’s information to open numerous fraudulent business accounts and credit cards. Between July and November 2015, Katcher used access to his friend’s company, Alpine Limousine based in New York City, to steal numerous customers’ credit card information to conduct fraudulent transactions, police said.

Police said the fraudulent companies Katcher created are:

• TAK Transportation
• Charmwood
• McKewens Limousine

Katcher, of 44 Donna Lane, is also being sued by numerous people throughout Long Island and New York City for stealing more than $650,000 using a similar scheme, police said. He was held overnight at the First Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Wednesday. 

The investigation is continuing.