Charges – Rochester Man Bullied and Stole From Vulnerable Adult

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - An arrest warrant has been issued for a Rochester man accused of physically bullying a vulnerable man in order to gain access to his bank account.

A criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court indicates an investigator with the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation in late September after receiving a report of a theft. The Investigator spoke to a woman, who stated that her vulnerable adult son had been forced to give money to a man identified as 20-year-old Bill Gum Benjamin.

The court document says the investigator then spoke to the victim, who indicated he met Benjamin while working at a southeast Rochester store last year, and at some point, the victim complied with a request from Benjamin for some money. The victim then indicated that after a few more money requests, Benjamin began forcing the victim into his car and would physically push him around.

Get our free mobile app

The charges allege that Benjamin would call the victim's bank to verify his account balance and then drive the victim to a southwest Rochester bank branch and force the victim to withdraw money from his account. The victim told the investigator that almost every week after he was paid, Benjamin would wait outside his workplace and follow him to his car.

The court document indicates the victim reported the theft in June of this year. It says he told investigators he did not follow up because Benjamin learned he had spoken with law enforcement and became agitated. The victim then stated that he is afraid of Benjamin.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim's mother became involved after she learned of the thefts when the victim's phone was shut off for nonpayment. She then went through her son's bank statements and discovered that his balance had decreased from more than $40,000 to nothing over the last year. It is alleged that Benjamin took more than $7700 from the victim in September 2023, and additional $22,900 from October 2023 through the end of March this year, and then another $10,900 between April and the end of September.

The court document also states that the investigator was told the victim in the case is vulnerable because he has autism and is developmentally delayed.

Benjamin is charged with three felony counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult involving undue influence/harassment/duress.

More Minnesota News:

• Lawsuit Seeks Review of Rochester City Council Election
• Trial Over 120 MPH Rochester Chase Ends With Guilty Verdict
• Teenage Pedestrian Killed at Busy Iron Range Intersection