Chicago man accused of stealing nearly $3,000 from two women in Algonquin charity scam

A Chicago man allegedly stole nearly $3,000 from two Algonquin women by overcharging their debit cards when they gave him a small donation intended to help underprivileged children.

Armarion J. McNeal, 25, of Chicago, was charged with two counts of theft by deception over $500, a Class 3 felony.

A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges that McNeal obtained $1,700 from an Algonquin woman on May 10.

The complaint says McNeal misled the woman into asking for a donation to support college funds for disadvantaged youth.

The victim offered a $20 donation and McNeal made a transaction on her debit card for $1,700, $1,680 more than she had offered, the complaint states.

A week later, McNeal was accused of pulling the same scam on another Algonquin woman, according to court records.

A criminal complaint said McNeal was soliciting donations to support the youth on May 17 when he allegedly stole $1,000 from the second victim.

The woman had offered McNeal a $10 donation, but he made a transaction on the victim’s debit card for a total of $1,000, $990 more than she had offered, according to the complaint .

In February, police warned of suspects posing as fundraisers for organizations while stealing large sums of money from McHenry County residents.

The subjects, who target people in commercial areas, claim they are fundraising. They accept debit card payments while stating that cash and credit cards are not accepted.

Instead of charging the agreed amount, they charge much more to the person’s debit card.

McNeal was arrested earlier this week and released from the McHenry County Jail after McHenry County Judge Jeffrey Hirsch denied a motion to hold him pending trial.

The judge ordered McNeal placed on electronic monitoring with a curfew.

McNeal is scheduled to appear in court again on October 31.