Michael Edward Cotter

SYRACUSE — An Elkhart man was arrested after allegedly using a former employer’s credit card to purchase lottery tickets.

Michael Edward Cotter, 48, 2013 Leininger Ave., Elkhart, is being charged with fraud, a level 6 felony.

On May 7, an officer with the Syracuse Police Department spoke with a woman regarding a fraud. The woman said she owned Bob Gunn & Associates in Elkhart and that she temporarily employed Cotter.

According to court documents, the woman provided a credit card to Cotter on May 6 and told him it was only to be used for fuel for a company vehicle. However, the woman learned that Cotter made two transactions from McClure’s Gas Station in Syracuse, where he purchased $400 worth of lottery tickets.

On May 21, the officer reviewed surveillance footage at McClure’s Gas Station and positively identified the person using the credit card as Cotter.

On May 30, the officer interviewed Cotter at the Syracuse Police Department. During the interview, Cotter admitted that he used the credit card to make an unauthorized purchase of the lottery tickets.

Cotter was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on July 30, with a $5,750 surety and cash bond.