MELVILLE, NY – Issued August 13, 2026
Suffolk County Police today arrested a Brooklyn woman for depositing checks stolen from her employer into her personal account.
The owner of Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices, located at 1 Schwab Road in Melville, noticed multiple unauthorized transactions on his bank account involving checks made payable to a former employee.
Following an investigation by Financial Crime Unit detectives, it was determined Leeanna Luke forged and deposited 15 checks into her personal account, totaling $11,828.13.
Luke, 25, of 1151 East 103rd St., [Brooklyn, NY] was charged with Identity Theft 1st Degree, Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degree. She is scheduled to be arraigned today at First District Court in Central Islip.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Authority: Kevin Catalina, Commissioner
Suffolk County Police Department
26C01210521
KP/1150
