Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – The owner of a Central New York business that has become a magnet for customer complaints after it allegedly failed to deliver products it promised has been jailed in Pennsylvania.
B and K Beds owner Melanie Evans was arrested in Syracuse after New Garden Township Police issued a warrant for her arrest.
She has been in Chester County Prison for around three weeks since being transported there.
Evans has been charged with fraud, passing bad checks, forgery, and theft.
Police believe she has defrauded or stolen more than $200,000. They anticipate that she has bilked customers and others for much more.
Her brother, Dave Sampson of Pennsylvania, is among the complainants in the case in New Garden Township. He told NewsChannel 9 that Evans stole his identity, made withdrawals in his name, and deposited more than $100,000 in phony checks into his bank account. Police have confirmed Sampson’s accusation.
"I pressed charges back in November and October for fraud, she got a hold of my business account information and was depositing money and withdrawing money out of my account, without my knowledge," Sampson said.
Sampson claims his sister fled to Syracuse after he pressed charges. She then opened up B and K Beds.
"I believe she's cheated a lot of people out of money - a lot including myself - and defrauding banks,” he said. “She's done this her whole life...and it finally caught up with her. I'm just sad to say that it’s involved so many people and children."
Numerous customers and people who exchanged services or money with B and K Beds told NewsChannel 9 that Evans’ company had failed to hold up its part of the bargain.
It is not known at this time, however, whether or not Evans will face charges in Onondaga County.
