Poughkeepsie Man Charged With Stealing Unemployment Benefits

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A Poughkeepsie man was arrested Oct. 17 for allegedly stealing unemployment insurance. State Police said Jose Merced, 33, of Poughkeepsie, was charged with third-degree grand larceny and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, both felonies.

Police said Merced collected unemployment insurance benefits totaling $8,500 from the state Department of Labor while he was gainfully employed. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

He was arraigned in the Town of Pleasant Valley Justice Court and sent to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $500 bail or $1,500 bond.

Merced is next scheduled to appear in the City of Poughkeepsie Court Oct. 18.

Photo caption: Jose Merced. Photo credit: NYSP.