Ex-employee pleads innocent in bank theft

By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 23-year-old former employee of First Place Bank has pleaded innocent to accusations she took money from her employer.
Kelly Kroynovich of Youngstown pleaded innocent to a charge of theft Wednesday in municipal court. Judge Thomas Gysegem released her on a $5,000 bond, pending further action.
Detective Al Bansky said Kroynovich was arrested Wednesday morning.
"I called her Tuesday and told her I had a warrant for her arrest and asked her to turn herself in Wednesday and she did," Bansky said.
What happened
He noted that Kroynovich worked for the East Market Street bank from 1996 until last month. He said she is accused of taking $23,274.
"She worked in the accounting department of the bank and the allegations are that she took money from one of the bank's accounts and transferred it into an account she had with her brother," Bansky said.
"We are being told the money was taken because family members needed it to pay bills."
He said the money was taken from July 23, 2001, until June 10, 2002. The bank discovered the money was missing during a routine audit.
Bansky was notified around the last week of August. He declined to say how much money was in the account.
He said bank officials instructed him to tell reporters not to call. "The bank is declining comment," he said.
He said Kroynovich has cooperated with investigators.