DATE: September 12, 2025
SUBJECT: Detectives Arrest Construction Owner for Fraud & Theft
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-NR-0912
CONTACT: Lt. Doug Daza
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the owner of a local construction company on
Fraud and Theft charges. The charges were filed following an investigation into allegations that Matthew William Martin, owner of Matthew Martin Construction, altered checks given to him by a client, stealing thousands of dollars.
The client, an 85-year-old Evansville resident, contacted the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section after learning her bank account had been drained. She explained that she and her husband had hired Martin to perform small jobs at their residence and typically paid him by check in amounts ranging from $75 to $300.
The victim told detectives that Martin had asked her to leave the payee line blank because he claimed he did not have a bank account and had others cash checks for him. He also requested that she fill in the numerical amount on the check but leave the written dollar amount blank. The total loss was just under $10,000.
Detectives determined that Martin allegedly altered several checks by inflating the dollar amounts into the thousands and then completing the written portion to match. Investigators also interviewed individuals who had cashed the checks and sent the money to Martin. Evidence suggested Martin could not maintain a bank account due to previous overdrafts and banks refusing to allow him to open new accounts under his name or his business.
Martin was located and brought to the Sheriff’s Office Operations Center, where he admitted to altering one of the checks. He told detectives that he was struggling financially and mentally and used part of the stolen funds to pay for a trip to Disney World he had promised his child. During a property inventory, detectives also discovered two blank checks belonging to the victim in his wallet.
Martin was transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail, where he is being held without bond pending a court hearing.
Arrested:
- Matthew William Martin, 33, Evansville
Charges:
- 3 Counts of Fraud (Level 6 Felony)
- 3 Counts of Theft (Level 6 Felony)
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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