Estranged wife of Amwell man set for trial
The estranged wife of an Amwell Township man faces theft, access device fraud and forgery charges for allegedly forging his signature on personal checks she made out to herself and cashed, as well as a charge of criminal mischief for reportedly ramming his vehicle with her vehicle.
Charges against Michelle Marie Merashoff, 44, of 158 Waynesburg Road, Amwell, were filed Wednesday by state police at the office of District Judge Ethan Ward. She is also charged with theft by deception and identity theft in connection with the theft of the checks totaling $10,800.
She is accused of signing the name of her husband, Robert Merashoff, on 10 of his personal checks she had made out to herself between May 11 and July 6.
Robert Merashoff told police he had received notification from his accountant that checks had been cashed. He told police he did not issue or sign any of the checks to Michelle Merashoff.
He also told police he could not account for the missing checks.
Michelle Merashoff is also accused of deliberately hitting her estranged husband’s vehicle and a retaining wall at his Horne Run Road home on May 9.
Robert Merashoff showed police surveillance video showing her ramming her vehicle into his Jeep Grand Cherokee and the block retaining wall when she left his home after the two reportedly got into an argument. She then backed up and sped out of the driveway.
Robert Merashoff told police the damage to the wall was $575 and $3,011 in damage was done to his vehicle.
Michelle Merashoff reportedly admitted to a state police corporal she stole the money.
A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 18 at Ward’s office.