Police: Indian Lake man scammed victim out of $50,000

An Indian Lake man is accused of stealing $50,000 from a person in a real estate scam.

Richard C. Toelk Jr., 55, allegedly took money from an elderly victim that was purportedly to be used as deposits to buy two Indian Lake properties, State Police said.

The investigation determined that Toelk had no claim of ownership to one of the properties that he reportedly sold partial ownership to the victim. He also did not take any action to transfer ownership of the second property to the victim.

Toelk deposited the funds at a financial institution in Johnsburg, police said.

Toelk was arrested after being released from the South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, New Jersey. He was being held on similar but unrelated crimes.

He was charged with third-degree grand larceny. He was arraigned at Warren County Centralized Arraignment Court and released on his own recognizance.