WATCH: West Melbourne Police Update on Arrest of Bookkeeper Who Bilked Business Out of $1.3 Million

By  //  April 13, 2018

Rodolfo Olivas arrested for crimes dating back to 2010

SPACE COAST DAILY TV: West Melbourne Police provides an update about the arrest of bookkeeper Rodolfo Olivas who was charged with the theft of $1.3 million from his employer, Hills, Inc.

Crimes Dated Back As Far As 2010

BREVARD COUNTY • WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – West Melbourne Police have charged a longtime bookkeeper with Hills Inc. with fraud and theft charges that accumulated $1.3 million for crimes dating back to 2010.

After the 10-month investigation by police, the former employee of Hills Inc, Rodolfo Olivas, was arrested Thursday morning.

The investigation began in June of 2017 when an employee discovered a number of questionable financial transactions, while Olivas was on vacation.

During the course of the investigation, detectives issued a number of subpoenas to banks and credit companies to obtain the financial records. As a result, authorities found enough probable cause to place Olivas under arrest.

The summary of the investigation reveals Olivas was stealing from the company that dated as far back as 2010. The amount Olivas stole calculated out to be around $1.3 million in fraudulent purchases and dealings.

West Melbourne Police have charged a former Hills Inc. employee, Rodolfo Olivas, with fraud and theft charges that accumulated $1.3 million for crimes dating back to 2010. (BCSO Image)

Police say Olivas would carry out his crimes by using business checks, multiple credit card accounts and numerous bank accounts.

“When he went on vacation in 2017, another employee did Olivas’ work and discovered credit card and checking accounts that nobody else knew about,” said Captain Richard Cordeau of the West Melbourne Police Department.

“West Melbourne Detectives applied for a search warrant for Olivas’ residence in Indialantic and a judge found there was probable cause to grant the search warrant.”

“Finally, the search warrant was served on Thursday morning. As part of that search warrant, not only are detectives looking for evidence related to Olivas’ crimes, the warrant also authorizes the seizure of any illegally obtained goods,” Capt. Cordeu added.

West Melbourne Police say Olivas will be booked into the Brevard County Jail and his bond is set for $721,000.

Arrests In Brevard County: April 10, 2018 – Suspects Presumed Innocent Until Proven GuiltyRelated Story:
Arrests In Brevard County: April 10, 2018 – Suspects Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty

“The West Melbourne Police Department would like to thank the State Attorney’s Office and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Division for their assistance with this investigation.”

Hills Inc. delivered a statement in response to the investigation and the arrest of their former employee Rodolfo Olivas:

In 2017, Hills discovered that it was a victim of employee theft. At the time of discovery, Hills immediately terminated employment of this individual without incident, and after a brief internal investigation to confirm the gravity of the matter, Hills contacted the West Melbourne Police Department.

Hills was shocked and saddened by the nature and volume of this crime. Hills successfully managed to ensure that this crime had absolutely no effect on our services and payments to our Customers, Business Partners, and Suppliers.

However, Hills has always distributed a significant portion of its annual profits to our Employees, and since this crime affected our profits, Hills Employees failed to receive the maximum profit sharing they earned, and thus also became victims.

We greatly appreciate the highly professional services of the West Melbourne Police Department especially Detective Brickhouse and Detective Campbell as well as the State Attorney’s office for their diligence in pursuing this case and look forward to working with them to close this matter.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS