A home health worker allegedly fabricated a story about getting robbed of her dependent’s money that she’d just gotten from an ATM.
Police in Pottsville say they were called to a reported robbery on Sept 26. At the scene, police say they spoke with a female victim and Linda Hoppes, 51, of Pottsville, who is the victim’s home health worker.
Hoppes reportedly told police that the woman in her care had sent her to the Wells Fargo ATM at N. Centre and E. Arch streets downtown to withdraw $500 so she could pay bills and rent.
She said she walked downtown and withdrew the money and stuck it in her bra. On the way back to her dependent’s apartment, Hoppes reportedly said she was robbed of some of that cash by an unidentified black man.
Hoppes said she walked by this man near W. Race and Downing streets. She told police that she complied with this man’s demands, reached in her bra, and gave him $80 of the $500. Hoppes described the suspect as black and about 30 years old, standing about 6 feet tall with a medium build, wearing dark sunglasses, a black hoodie, dark green shoes, and blue pants.
The man reportedly grabbed Hoppes by the shoulder and told her, “I want what you just put in your bra and if you don’t, I’ll whip out my pistol.”
After reportedly giving the man the cash, Hoppes said she promptly returned to her charge’s apartment.
Police say they spoke with Hoppes about this reported incident for a while and eventually learned … it never happened. It was completely made up, police say.
Instead, Hoppes allegedly admitted to stealing the $80.
Police say they took Hoppes to City Hall for further questioning, where she again admitted to making up this story about the robbery. What allegedly really happened, based on what police say Hoppes told them, is that Hoppes hid $80 of that $500 in the bathroom of her dependent’s apartment.
Police say they found the $80 in the bathroom and gave it back to the victim.
Police have charged Hoppes with misdemeanor counts of financial exploitation of a care-dependent person, receiving stolen property, theft, and filing a false report. Hoppes has been ordered to a preliminary hearing on Nov. 24 to answer to those charges.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...