Defendant Sentenced to Prison in Marco Island Grand Theft Case

Pamela Lynn Vandeursen Thime has been adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 5 years in prison, followed by 15 years of probation, for Grand Theft from a Person 65 Years or Older, more than $50,000, a First-Degree Felony. The defendant was also ordered to make full restitution to the victim in the amount of $70,000.

She was found guilty following a Collier County trial in 2022. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Jessica Horowitz of the State Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.

The crime involved the defendant, who was staying at a condominium on Marco Island, representing herself to be an interior designer out of Chicago. She met the victim and charged her a total of $77,500, over the course of two and a half months in 2018, to renovate two condo bathrooms.

The defendant was paid but no work was ever done. No materials were ordered and no permit applications were submitted for the job.

When the victim’s daughter came to Florida for a vacation, the victim told her daughter what

happened. She contacted the defendant to ask about the project and try to get the money back. The defendant only returned $7,500. The victim’s daughter then called the Marco Island Police Department.

The case was investigated by the MIPD Detective Bureau. Their investigation and extensive work on this case, led to the arrest of the defendant.

As part of the sentence, there are special terms and conditions to the defendant’s probation. They include prohibiting the defendant from application or appointment as an officer, manager or member of any entity licensed by the State of Florida Department of Corporations. The defendant may also not engage in any business with a person over 65 years of age.

Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office, Communications Director