A Denver-area locksmith accused of padding bills for older customers is now facing criminal charges in Jefferson County after investigators tied him to several high-dollar credit-card charges. Menashe Evro is charged with multiple felony counts, including theft and exploitation of at‑risk adults, according to investigators. Authorities say eight alleged victims, most in their 70s to 90s, are named in the filings, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for July.
Victims and investigation
Several customers told reporters they had called for routine lock work and later discovered unexpected, eye-popping charges on their cards. One man reported a $4,830 Visa charge, and another was alerted to about $3,000 in billing, as detailed in unexpected credit card hits totaling thousands. Jefferson County detectives said they used invoices, phone numbers, social media posts, and doorbell-camera footage to connect those charges to Evro and to invoices bearing Fortis Locksmith branding.
The same coverage notes that a detective credited the station’s reporting with helping move the inquiry forward. Outside the court, Evro briefly told reporters, “I don’t speak English.”
Court records and case details
The Colorado Judicial Branch docket lists an appearance on bond in late June under case number 2026CR1076 and confirms a preliminary hearing in July in Jefferson County. Those entries line up with local investigators’ statements that prosecutors have now formally filed charges in the county court.
Earlier reporting revealed similar complaints
In March, another broadcast report highlighted a 90-year-old customer who said she was charged thousands for a lock replacement and only received a refund after the station pressed a man who claimed to represent Fortis Locksmith. That earlier reporting helped alleged victims compare notes and prompted Jefferson County detectives to expand their investigation.
Legal context
Prosecutors have charged theft and exploitation of at‑risk adults, offenses that Colorado treats as enhanced crimes when victims are elderly or otherwise vulnerable. The state’s criminal code defines exploitation of at‑risk adults and allows for tougher penalties in cases involving older or vulnerable residents, according to the Colorado Revised Statutes.
If you were billed unexpectedly
Anyone who spots an unexplained charge is advised to contact their card issuer right away, save invoices and receipts, and file a police report to create an official record. The Colorado Department of Human Services explains how to report suspected exploitation to Adult Protective Services, and the Colorado Attorney General’s online consumer portal accepts fraud complaints and provides guidance for victims. See CDHS APS and Colorado Attorney General for specific next steps.
Jefferson County detectives say the investigation is ongoing and encourage anyone with similar invoices or relevant video footage to contact law enforcement. Evro’s preliminary hearing is set for July, when prosecutors are expected to decide whether to move forward with felony prosecutions at the next court dates.
