KOSCIUSKO — A man with addresses listed in both Tippecaoe and Fort Wayne is facing charges after using a deceased man’s KeyBank card to withdraw cash and make purchases.

Philip Michael Picanso, 41, with addresses on file as both 1622 Boone St., Fort Wayne, and 7987 N. SR 25, Tippecanoe, is being charged with three counts of fraud, a level 6 felony. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Dec. 26, 2017, police responded to a fraud/theft complaint. A Warsaw Police officer spoke with a female who is the executor of her deceased brother’s belongings, finances and funeral arrangements. 

The female stated that her brother was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 19, 2017, and died on Dec. 22, 2017. She reported that someone was using her brother’s KeyBank card to access cash through the ATM machine, pay bills and purchase personal and food items.

The female further reported that she was unable to locate her brother’s wallet, which contained his KeyBank card. She told police that Picanso and Christina Maria Ross have been staying at her deceased brother’s apartment. 

Warsaw Police received a printout of transactions on the deceased male’s KeyBank account between Dec. 21, 2017, and Dec. 27, 2017. Between Dec. 21, 2017, and Dec. 23, 2017, three separate ATM withdrawals were made from the account totaling $900. During that time, a transaction in the amount of $33.05 for gasoline occurred at the Freedom Express Station in Warsaw using the card and a purchase was made with the same card at Dollar General in the amount of $82.09. Surveillance video was provided by KeyBank, Dollar General and Freedom Express showing Picanso as the person using the card during three of the transactions, and Ross as the person using the card during the other two transactions. 

Picanso was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail on Wednesday, Jan. 23, on a $5,250 surety and cash bond. Ross has been sentenced on her charges in connection to this case.