Rochester woman arrested after allegedly scamming locals with fake fundraisers

rochester-woman-arrested-after-allegedly-scamming-locals-with-fake-fundraisers

A Rochester woman was arrested after allegedly using her three young children to go door-to-door scamming locals with fake fundraiser pamphlets. 

On May 20, Danielle L. Longmire, 24, of Rochester, was arrested on charges of forgery, a Level 6 felony; seven charges of theft, Level 6 felonies; and seven charges of fraud, Level 6 felonies. 

According to the probable cause affidavit, the Rochester Police Department was contacted by family members of one of the alleged victims on May 8. It was reported that Longmire had possibly changed the amount on a check that the victim had given. The victim's family stated that Longmire had also possibly stolen a checkbook and tried to cash additional checks in the victim's name.

The original check had been given to Longmire for a fundraiser. She had been selling door-to-door in the neighborhood with her kids. 

The 93-year-old victim had been home alone on May 6, and invited Longmire and her three children into her residence around 8 p.m. Although the elderly victim had not specifically remembered the organization they were fundraising for, she stated she thought it was cub scouts or for a little league baseball team.

The victim advised that she chose an $18 candle to purchase from the fundraiser forms. Due to her age, the victim stated that she had requested Longmire help her fill out the check written for the $18, before signing the check. 

Shortly after Longmire left, the victim stated to family members that she could not find her checkbook. Family members of the elderly woman quickly handled the situation by canceling all of the missing checks. They intially assumed they had been lost and not stolen. 

On May 7, Longmire presented herself at Flagstar Bank to cash the initial check. Instead of collecting the $18, however, Longmire cashed a check from the victim for the amount of $260. Longmire left with the cash that day.

On May 8, Longmire reappeared at the bank to cash another check from the victim's checkbook, which had been canceled and reported missing. Longmire was identified from the bank cameras, as she provided the check and her driver's license to the Flagstar bank teller. Longmire was denied the second transaction, however. 

An investigation was launched by Rochester Police Department Detective Ben Woods, who said that six additional victims soon contacted authorities to report buying "fundraiser" items from Longmire. 

The six other victims said that they gave Longmire between $25 to $48 each. The transactions happened between the end of April, and the beginning of May. 

Each victim explained the fundraiser forms appeared old and worn down. 

After Longmire's arrest this week, Detective Woods says she admitted to having sold to around 60 to 100 homes throughout Rochester. 

Detective Woods said during the investigation he had called each organization Longmire claimed to be selling fundraisers for, verifying that they had been fraudulent. 

Jaci Jaberg is the granddaughter of the elderly victim who's checkbook was allegedly stolen by Longmire. 

Jaberg said that her daughter had made a Facebook post, warning locals about Longmire's scams. Detective Woods said all of the additional victims who reported Longmire to police had done so because of that post.

Jaberg said she is grateful for the Rochester Police Department taking care of the situation. Jaberg says although six other people have officially reported Longmire's alleged scam, she hopes more victims come forward. 

Detective Woods said although this is the first case of fraudulant fundraisers being sold door-to-door in Rochester that he's ever seen, there are red flags that people can look out for in the future. 

Longmire is currently booked in the Fulton County Detention Center without bond. 

The investigation will be updated if more people call to report being victims. Anyone with any additional information on the case can call Detective Woods at the Rochester Police Department at 574-223-3313.