MISHAWAKA — A Mishawaka firefighter has admitted to scamming a number of co-workers by claiming to have cancer.

Sammy R. Young Jr., 50, has been charged with two counts of theft, a level 6 felony.

According to court documents, Young told a Mishawaka police officer that he was battling cancer and needed specialized treatments that weren’t covered by insurance. Young asked for $1,000 to help cover the payments.

The officer agreed to let Young borrow the money, but Young continued to delay repayment. The officer eventually learned that Young didn’t have cancer and confronted him. Young continued to avoid paying back the money.

South Bend Police Captain Scott Hanley began to investigate and found that Young had scammed a number of other police and fire employees.

Hanley found that one of Young’s co-workers gave him $800 to pay rent. A repayment check bounced due to insufficient funds.

According to court documents, Young was interviewed under oath and admitted that he wasn’t undergoing cancer treatments. He also admitted to lying to other police and fire employees about having cancer.

Source: WNDU