Man sentenced for bid to steal from elderly aunt annuity

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A man who tried to steal thousands of dollars from an elderly aunt's annuity by impersonating her in calls and emails to her insurance company is now headed to prison.

Jason Crozier received a five-year sentence on Friday. The 45-year-old Sussex County man had been convicted of insurance fraud, theft by deception and identity theft.

Officials with the state's Insurance Fraud Prosecutor's office say Crozier tried to steal $5,500 from his aunt's annuity.

They say he contacted her insurer multiple times between April and May of 2013 and provided her personal information — without her knowledge or consent — in a bid to make them believe he was his aunt so he could withdraw money from the fund.