A 24-year-old Palmerton man has been charges of financial exploitation of an older adult, identity theft and related offenses in connection with the theft of over $38,000 from an elderly family member and the state.

State police from the criminal investigation unit based out of Stroudsburg said Cole David Nenscel, formerly of 239 Franklin Ave., is wanted on the charges that were filed in the District Court 56-3-02 Magisterial Court. Anyone with information on Nenscel’s whereabouts is asked to contacted Trooper Paige Nelson, 570-619-6800.

Police said they began an investigation of a COVID Pandemic Unemployment Compensation fraud report in January regarding funds dispersed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

They said the victim told them she was not good with technology and she requested a family member’s help, saying he used his laptop and cellphone to request and access the unemployment compensation.

She said Nenscel “helped her” transfer approximately $1,000 in unemployment compensation funds to her bank account. On another occasion, she related, he assisted her in using a debit card at Walmart.

Police allege Nenscel proceeded to steal $38,490 in the funds from the victim and the commonwealth.