Theft/Fraud Investigation Update

 In November 2023, an Evansville Police Officer was following up with a theft investigation that had been reported to the Evansville Police Department. A check that had been sent to a University of Evansville student had been altered and cashed at a local bank, but not by the student. The officer followed up with the bank and through his investigation, he developed a suspect. 

The officer contacted the suspect, Zachariah Brock. Brock told the officer that he worked for the University of Evansville and had stolen some mail from students. The officer notified staff at the university. Brock was immediately placed on Administrative Leave and has since been terminated. UE staff members cleaned out Brock’s office. They located a bag containing over 40 pairs of women’s undergarments and over 100 pieces of mail that did not belong to Brock. They contacted the officer and told him about what they had found. 

The officer contacted Brock and asked if he would come to EPD Headquarters and speak with him about the investigation. On January 3rd, Brock voluntarily arrived at EPD Headquarters and met with the officer and a detective. During the interview, Brock told the law enforcement officials that he had entered dorm rooms and had stolen pieces of mail along with women’s undergarments on multiple occasions. He admitted that sometimes he did have a legit work order to enter the dorms, while other times, he did not have a work order and entered without permission. 

In January 2024, Brock was charged with Burglary and Theft relating to one incident. The investigation continued and the officer tracked down other victims. The officer was able to identify 25 mail items that Brock had stolen that contained something of monetary value. These items included cash, checks, and gift cards. The officer discovered that there were 9 checks that totaled $1,006.75 that Brock had deposited into his bank accounts. Brock had also altered 4 of those checks to increase the amount that the check was originally written for. 

More charges were filed and on February 15th, a Felony Warrant was issued for Brock. Brock was taken into custody for his outstanding warrant on February 16th and transported to the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center. His new charges include 2 Counts of Theft, 2 Counts of Fraud, and 4 Counts of Forgery.