Family wants charges in theft from man, 92

Sept. 16--The family of an elderly rural Jacksonville man says they are frustrated by what they see as a delay in bringing charges against someone in the theft of nearly $90,000 from the man.

Family members say they have been waiting for months for something to happen and are worried the man's declining health could allow whoever is responsible to go free.

The family believes the money was taken periodically over the course of last year -- $300 or $400 at a time -- by someone Leroy Robinson Sr. knows.

It began slowly at first, with unexplained amounts missing here and there. Then it became more and more. It came to light when Robinson's son was contacted by the bank after a deposit was accidentally made into the wrong account.

In the process of straightening out the error, Leroy Robinson Jr. noticed discrepancies.

That was last winter.

Leroy Robinson Jr. found what he said were forged checks for various amounts. The signatures on a number of checks did not match his father's hand-writing; other checks for unexplained purchases were found.

He took the evidence to Morgan County Sheriff's Department investigators, who began work on the case.

Leroy Robinson Jr. said he has been expecting something to happen in the case for months, but said he was told by the Morgan County State's Attorney's Office there was not yet enough evidence to prosecute. He said sheriff's department investigators believe they have what's needed for an arrest, but cannot move forward without approval from the state's attorney's office.

Neither office would comment on the case other than to say it was still under investigation.

But Robinson's family is worried that if the 92-year-old widowed farm worker -- who has multiple health issues -- dies before he can testify, it's unlikely anyone could be convicted.

"We're running out of time," Leroy Robinson Jr. said. "He isn't getting any better ... he won't be able to go into court like they say I have to do now. If they'd have done their job in January, this would have already been over."

Without a conviction, Leroy Robinson Jr. doesn't think insurance will cover the loss.

Leroy Robinson Sr.'s granddaughter, Kristi Hymes Hinegardner, said she is disappointed that someone would take advantage of her grandfather and that nothing has been done.

"He's such a hard worker," she said. "The people that are in his really close circle he treats extremely well. He doesn't ask much from anyone in return."

Hinegardner hopes someone is held responsible.

"I doubt he's going to get any money back," she said, "but it's not OK [if someone gets] to walk scot-free, either."

Nick Draper can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1223, or on Twitter @nick_draper.

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