A rural Weatherly woman fell victim to a theft by deception incident in which the perpetrator started a romantic relationship with her, proposed to her and then made off with $2,711 of her money.

The incident was reported at 11:09 a.m. Oct. 27 by the 51-year-old woman from Leslie Run Road, Lehigh Township, resulting in the arrest of Derrick Brunson, 53, of Middletown, Pennsylvania.

State police at the Hazleton barracks said the woman reported Brunson presented himself to her as being a New York police homicide investigator and the two entered the relationship.

They said Brunson met the woman in person and proposed to her, gifting her a fake diamond ring.

Police said the woman told them Brunson made up scenarios in which he needed cash and requested the victim send him money to help him out. The woman complied by sending him the funds.

Police charged Brunson with theft by deception, a felony count, and impersonating a public servant, a misdemeanor offense.