John Wenzel Kane Rearrested On Fraud Related Charges By Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit

owner of Coins and Curiosities in Melbourne

DEFRAUDED VICTIMS OUT OF MORE THAN $585,000

BREVARD COOUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit on Friday arrested 63-year-old John Wenzel Kane, owner of Coins and Curiosities.

The arrest was subsequent to the issuance of an arrest warrant was charging him with Racketeering (RICO), Scheme to Defraud over $50,000, Communications Fraud over $50,000, Depositing a check with the intent to Defraud (3 counts), Grand Theft over $300.00 (5 counts) and Grand Theft of a person over 65 (7 counts).

The most recent charges are related to victims who came forward after they learned of his original arrest. In all, 12 new victims were identified who alleged that they had been defrauded out of money and/or collectable coins by Kane.

The investigation that was conducted by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Task Force revealed that Kane was defrauding the victims in two ways:

• Victims would order either gold or silver coins as an investment opportunity from Kane through his business. Kane would collect the full amount for the coin order, up front from the victim and then fail to deliver the coins.

• The second type of scheme reported by the victims, involved victims giving Kane gold and silver coin collections to sell for them on consignment. Kane would sell the collection and not provide payment or return the collection to the victims.

The investigation, which was originally initiated in 2016, revealed that the monetary loss for these additional victims is $405,291.88, bringing the total loss over a 4 year time period for all victims to $585,673.88.

Kane was initially charged on July 19 by the Economic Crimes Task Force after an arrest warrant was issued by a judge charging him with Racketeering, Scheme to Defraud over $50,000.00, Depositing a check with the intent to Defraud (12 counts), Grand Theft over $300.00 (14 counts) Grand Theft of a person over 65 (2 counts) and Worthless Checks (2 counts).

Pursuant to Friday’s arrest Kane was transported to the Brevard County Jail Complex where he is being held on a “No Bond” status in accordance to the instructions of the arrest warrant.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, Titusville Police Department, Melbourne Police Department, Cocoa Police Department and a dedicated attorney from the State Attorney’s Office.

This case is another great example of the incredible work and partnership by the agents who are assigned to our Economic Crimes Task Force. I could not be more proud of their efforts to protect our citizens and especially our seniors who are so frequently targeted by perpetrators of fraudulent crimes.

If you believe you may have been victimized by Kane or have information about this investigation, please call Sergeant Jackie Hearon of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Task Force at 321-633-8410 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). All calls to CRIMELINE are confidential and callers can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward.

– Sheriff Wayne Ivey

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