DSP News Release: Thursday, March 12, 2009- Wilmington Man Accused of Theft in Tax Fraud Case

Location of Incident: 706 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, New Castle County  

Date of Occurrence: February 2009

Suspect(s): Ronnie E. Williams, 49, of North Broom Street in Wilmington, Delaware

Resume: On March 5, 2009, a 62-year-old female victim responded to Troop 1 to report a fraud complaint.  This victim advised officers that in February she went to R.E. Williams Tax Accountants Professional Accounting Firm and Tax Center on Philadelphia Pike to have her taxes done. There she met with the business owner Ronnie Williams. The victim turned over her documents to Mr. Williams and requested her taxes be filed. She paid him half of the cost up front with the remainder of the monies to be paid when the work was completed. 

After several weeks, calls by the victim to Mr. Williams went unanswered.  The phone numbers she tried were reportedly disconnected.   It was at this point that she reported her case to authorities. 

Troopers responded to the business in question.  They contacted the landlord of the establishment who said that he himself checked the business on March 6^th and found the inside cleaned out and empty.  The landlord also reported this tax business has not paid him any rent.

In the days that followed the original report, three more alleged victims came forward.  Their accounts of what happened were similar to that of the original victim. 

On March 10^th, Ronnie Williams was charged with four counts of Theft.  One of the Theft charges was listed as a felony due to the victim’s age.  He was released on a $3,500.00 bond.

Anyone else who believes they too have been victimized is asked to call the lead investigator at Troop 1 at 302-761-6677 ext. 325.