Those of you who know me know that I preach education is the way to rehabilitation. I am a believer that our criminal justice system’s primary goal is not to punish, but to rehabilitate. Robert Roche is one of the few people I would say is beyond repair. He is incapable of being rehabilitated and should spend the rest of his days behind bars.
How Many Chances Should Someone Get?
Roche, a career criminal with an extremely lengthy criminal record is back under arrest in Yarmouth, MA after he conned an 86-year-old woman out of more than $20,000.
Roche drained the victim’s bank account and left her with credit card bills in the thousands.
The trouble began when the elderly woman, who has dementia, rented her garage apartment to Roche, an ex-con with 195 past charges on his criminal record.
Roche further took advantage of the nice, old lady by agreeing to help with yard and house work.
On top of the $20,000 Roche is accused of stealing from Rita’s bank account, police say he swiped jewelry, old coins, and electronics. He’s also accused of charging thousands of dollars on credit cards he took out in her name.
“He has no integrity and that’s too bad because he’s never going to get anywhere in life and he’s going straight to hell,” the victim said.
How about a nice Dodge Charger for an 86-year-old who can’t drive? Roche managed to convince her to buy a Charger for about $20,000.
The Story Thickens
The victim became suspicious when Roche concocted a story that his son was involved in a serious car crash and had a leg amputated. He asked for whatever cash she had in her wallet. She gave him $200. Roche also took the woman’s car, saying he needed to drive to Maine to see his son.
Roche is charged with two counts of larceny. Rita says her nerves have been calmed by this man’s arrest.
This is a very sad case that never should have happened. How can that guy still be walking the street? While I would recommend a good online theft class for many, Roche has run out of chances as far as I’m concerned.