GUILDERLAND — An Albany woman was arrested for stealing checks from another woman "who took her in" when she was down on her luck, according to Guilderland Police.

Ellen M. Branche, 40, of 98 Columbia St., Albany, tried to cash those checks at the First Niagara Bank on Western Avenue, police say, and was arrested on Jan. 24. She was charged with second-degree possession of a forged instrument, a felony, and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny, both misdemeanors.

Branche’s occupation is listed as a registered nurse on her arrest report, but Guilderland Police Officer Charles Tanner explained that Branche was not a caregiver for the victim. Tanner added, though, that caregiver theft is not that uncommon, especially when older victims are involved.
"She was an acquaintance of the victim’s friend," Tanner said about Branche. "She was down on her luck and the victim took her in out of the kindness of her heart."
Tanner describes Branche as a "guest in the house" of the victim, who also lives in Albany.
"She forged the victim’s check and went to a local bank and withdrew funds," Tanner said.

Branche turned herself over to Guilderland Police after using two stolen checks, which she made out to herself with the victim’s forged signature, to withdraw a total of $394 from the First Niagara Bank in the Towne Center Plaza on Western Avenue, according to the arrest report.

Branche was arraigned by Judge Denise Randall in Guilderland Town Court, the report says.