A Massachusetts man has been accused of scamming a church in Kensington and other towns in the area.Kensington police said a member of the Kensington Congregational Church called police Monday about a man believed to be trying to scam the church.Police said the man approached the church the week before and said he was trying to get to New York to identify the remains of his brother, who had just passed away. The church donated $150 for him to get a train ticket to New York.But the church said it couldn't verify the name and address he provided. Police said the man contacted the church again, asking for help paying for funeral services. Church members agreed to meet him at a local restaurant.Kensington police set up an undercover investigation and saw the man get money from a church member.The man was taken into custody and identified as Joseph Grieco, 44, of Methuen, Massachusetts. Police said that when Grieco was questioned, he admitted defrauding churches on the Seacoast and in Massachusetts.Grieco was charged with two misdemeanor counts of theft by deception and driving after revocation. He posted $1,000 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 9.Kensington police said they are working with other agencies to try to identify victims. They said anyone who might have been scammed by Grieco should call local police.

A Massachusetts man has been accused of scamming a church in Kensington and other towns in the area.

Kensington police said a member of the Kensington Congregational Church called police Monday about a man believed to be trying to scam the church.


Police said the man approached the church the week before and said he was trying to get to New York to identify the remains of his brother, who had just passed away. The church donated $150 for him to get a train ticket to New York.

But the church said it couldn't verify the name and address he provided. Police said the man contacted the church again, asking for help paying for funeral services. Church members agreed to meet him at a local restaurant.

Kensington police set up an undercover investigation and saw the man get money from a church member.

The man was taken into custody and identified as Joseph Grieco, 44, of Methuen, Massachusetts. Police said that when Grieco was questioned, he admitted defrauding churches on the Seacoast and in Massachusetts.

Grieco was charged with two misdemeanor counts of theft by deception and driving after revocation. He posted $1,000 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 9.

Kensington police said they are working with other agencies to try to identify victims. They said anyone who might have been scammed by Grieco should call local police.