An Idaho man has been arrested following an investigation into the alleged theft of $40,000 from a nonprofit youth basketball program in Reno, Nev.
As reported by CBS affiliate KTVN in Reno, police say the investigation began after Reno Tropics Basketball reported that it had been defrauded while attempting to complete the construction of its basketball facility.
As part of the project, Reno Tropics was seeking to buy and install a hardwood basketball court. During the process, program representatives were connected with the general manager of a reputable basketball flooring company based in Idaho.
Police say the suspect communicated with representatives of Reno Tropics and provided an invoice requesting a $40,000 deposit for the basketball court. The nonprofit subsequently wired the funds to the bank account listed on the invoice.
Over the following months, the suspect allegedly continued communicating with representatives of Reno Tropics and led them to believe the basketball court was being constructed, according to KTVN.
In April, police say Reno Tropics learned that the flooring company had no record of the project and that its staff and vice president were unaware of the transaction. Investigators say they determined the $40,000 payment had been deposited directly into the suspect's personal bank account rather than an account belonging to the flooring company.
Investigators determined that construction of a basketball court for Reno Tropics never commenced.
Following the investigation, the Washoe County District Attorney's Office charged 51-year-old Jared Deveraux with obtaining money by false pretense, possessing a forged instrument, uttering a forged instrument and theft, KTVN reported.
Deverau was arrested Aug. 14 in Pocatello, Idaho. He is currently being held at the Bannock County Jail awaiting extradition, with bail set at $500,000.
