SOUTH BEND — Police say a man who lost his job found a new way to make money — by telling people he was collecting donations for the food bank.

Police arrested Joseph DeBartolo, 46, of South Bend on Tuesday, after complaints were made that the donations he received never reached the Food Bank of Northern Indiana.

DeBartolo has not been formally charged in the case, but police are seeking the public’s help in identifying acts of fraud he may have committed.

According to Sgt. Bill Redman, St. Joseph County police spokesman, DeBartolo had lost his job but used his old business contacts to ask companies to make donations to the food bank.

Redman said DeBartolo would convince donors to make out a personal check to himself, which he would then cash.

Police said they don’t know for sure how long DeBartolo had been seeking the donations, but detectives suspect he had been to about 12 different businesses or organizations.

Redman said detectives were able to gather information in the case after discovering that DeBartolo used relatives -- who thought they were doing legitimate fundraising -- to help solicit the money.

Police don’t know how many fraudulent donations or how many donations he had received, but Redman said police are sure there are others in the area who might have donated money to DeBartolo.

Redman said anyone who may have been approached by the man is asked to call Detective Scott Moniz at (574) 235-9569.