Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 42-year-old Vincent Van Vliet of Lima, N.Y. was sentenced on Friday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Mark A. Montour to three years of probation.  

The defendant admitted that he stole a total of $98,958.00 from a client while working as an ice skating instructor between December 1, 2018 and December 1, 2019. The victim paid the defendant with checks, which he deposited into his account through mobile banking. The defendant altered those checks and made additional unauthorized mobile deposits into his bank account.

Van Vliet pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony) on April 13, 2021. At the time of his plea, the defendant paid full restitution to the victim.

DA Flynn commends the Amherst Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian P. Dassero of the DA’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit.