April 29, 2015 at 4:46 p.m.
Rhinelander police seek former business owner accused of theft
Rhinelander police seek former business owner accused of theft
According to a police report attached to the criminal complaint, Steve C. Montalto, 52, the former owner of Steve's Glass and Upholstery, 1201 N. Stevens St., has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor theft and three counts of theft in a business setting.
The complaint indicates the alleged victims started making complaints to officers in the middle of March. They all allege that they went to Montalto's business and hired him to do either glass work or upholstery for them, paying for the work in advance.
Two of the felony theft in a business setting charges are for amounts between $2,500 and $5,000 while the third is for an amount ranging between $5,000 and $10,000.
In one theft, an elderly gentleman allegedly paid Montalto to restore a vehicle in November 2013 so he could drive it during his last years of life, but the man died before the work was completed. The work still hasn't been finished, according to his son. According to the police report, the man allegedly paid Montalto $5,500 for the work.
In another incident, another alleged victim dropped of a boat to have a new cover made for it, and paid Montalto $3,000 for the work. The boat was found in the building where Montalto's former business was located, according to the police report.
In all, the report alleges that Montalto defrauded five customers out of a total of $11,520. A spokesperson in the Oneida County District Attorney's office says it is likely that additional misdemeanor charges will be filed later.
Detectives believe that Montalto has moved to Rockford, Illinois, but two numbers they have found for him in that area have since been disconnected.
The charges against Montalto were filed on April 23 and Branch I Judge Patrick O'Melia signed a warrant for his arrest the same day.
Anyone with information as to Montalto's whereabouts is asked to call Detective Sergeant Joshua Chiamulera at (715) 365-5300.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
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