Deputies: Married Couple Defrauded Metro PCS

A New Port Richey couple defrauded a local Metro PCS store of $2,481.39, according to Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies.

Michael and Melissa Welch were employed as managers of the Metro PCS at 9409 U.S. 19 in Port Richey. Over more than half a year, there were 39 occasions in which either Michael or wife Melissa took money that belonged to the store, according to an arrest report.

The Welches would accept cash payments from customers and then fail to enter it into the proper website used by Metro PCS, deputies said.

“It was determined the money accepted on those 39 occasions was not provided to Metro PCS and was instead kept by” Michael and Melissa Welch, according to the arrest report.

The incidents began in December 2011 and stopped in Juy 2012, when the Welches were no longer employed with Metro PCS.

The Welches were arrested Wednesday at their home at 6516 Van Buren St. and each was charged with scheme to defraud. They were booked into the Land O' Lakes jail but were later released on bond.