State police on hunt for Ft. Wayne, In. pastor wanted in forgeries, theft from Topeka parishioners

[Ian David]

Black Collar Crime

Published: February 21, 2008 6:00 a.m.
State police on hunt for area pastor
Wanted in forgeries, theft from Topeka parishioners
By Rebecca S. Green
The Journal Gazette

The Indiana State Police are looking for a 65-year-old former pastor they believe took thousands of dollars from his Topeka church.

David Eugene Troyer of Fort Wayne was the pastor of Maple Grove Church in LaGrange County until last fall. But in October, church officials asked Troyer to step down after they discovered the silver-haired pastor misappropriated about $40,000 of church funds, police said.

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Troyer also entered into personal, short-term loans with private citizens, many from the church’s congregation, but then failed to pay the money back, police said. In those transactions, it appears Troyer garnered more than $250,000, according to police.

All the money seemed to fuel a lavish lifestyle, in spite of the mortgage foreclosure to Troyer’s Topeka home. Police believe Troyer had an apartment in southwest Fort Wayne, had multiple vehicles and took vacations.

More:
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080221/LOCAL/802210306/1002/LOCAL

Police have looked for Troyer in the Fort Wayne area and are now asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information should call the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department at 260-463-7491 or the Indiana State Police at 432-8661.

[LiberalFighter]

1. That should had been a clue to the church members when their minister

doesn't live in the same town let alone the same county where the church is located.

LaGrange County at top and Ft Wayne is in Allen County

[Ian David]

2. Not necessarily.

My wife's aunt is a minister, and she's been forced to live 3 hours away from the church where she works.