Wisconsin man accused of using estranged wife’s financial accounts after her disappearance
07/01/2024 3:51 pm PDT
DODGE COUNTY, Wis. (TCN) -- A 42-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of using his estranged wife’s financial accounts for cleaning supplies after she went missing.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office first posted about 37-year-old Crystal Rasch’s disappearance on June 27. According to WISN-TV, the victim’s stepmother found her vehicle at home but hadn’t heard from her since June 11.
Family members and friends reportedly told officials they received suspicious Facebook messages from Rasch, but they don’t believe they were from her.
In an update, the sheriff’s office said they examined Rasch’s financials and noticed numerous transactions. Further investigation revealed the victim’s estranged husband, Zachariah Rasch, allegedly processed the transactions without consent. He has reportedly been accused of harassing his wife in the past.
According to a criminal complaint reviewed by WISN, Zachariah Rasch is accused of purchasing $6,000 worth of items using his wife’s card, including gloves, car cleaning supplies, drain and carpet cleaners. Security footage reportedly revealed him making the purchases alone.
Rasch allegedly told detectives he and his wife had separate bank accounts, and he initially denied taking any money from her. However, detectives reportedly showed Rasch the surveillance photos, and he eventually confessed to using the victim’s card.
According to WISN, authorities executed a search warrant at Zachariah Rasch’s home, where they found $1,800 in a dresser and over $1,300 in a wallet.
Officials arrested him on counts of unauthorized use of an individual’s personal identifying information. He remains held in the Dodge County Jail on $250,000 bond.
Crystal Rasch’s disappearance is still considered a missing person investigation.
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