On Saturday afternoon Greenwich Police received word from a bank on Greenwich Avenue of a possible bank fraud.
Police say the suspect, Derrick L Benitez, 22, of West Farms Square Plaza in Bronx, NY, was inside the bank and in possession of a fraudulent Florida state driver’s license which he admitted he was attempting to use in a fraudulent withdrawal of $9,658 in funds from a victim’s account through impersonation.
The suspect admitted that a car, a Range Rover, was parked in front of the bank and was occupied by two additional suspects.
“They came up out of the Bronx and sent a guy in with a fake ID in the victim’s name,” said Lt Slusarz. “He went in and tried to withdraw some money and the teller was felt there was something just not right and alerted officers in the area.”
Police conducted an investigation that revealed that three suspects had traveled to Greenwich to commit bank fraud. A search of the suspect’s Range Rover turned up numerous stolen checks and a small amount of marijuana.
He was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 2 (two counts), Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Impersonation, Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft 2, Conspiracy to Commit/Illegal Possession of Personal Identification Info Device, Larceny 6 (seven counts), Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 2 and Possession of a Controlled Substance greater than 1/2 Oz Cannabis.
Bond for Benitez was set at $50,000 and he has a date in Stamford Superior Court on Dec 23, 2019.
James R Rodriguez. Dec 9, 2019 Photo courtesy Greenwich Police Dept
Also charged was James R Rodriguez, 30, of Vyse Ave in Bronx, NY. He was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 2 (two counts), Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Impersonation, Conspiracy t Commit Identity Theft 2, Illegal Possession Personal Identification/Info Device, Larceny 6 (seven counts) and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 2. His bond was set at $50,000.
Harris T McClam. Dec 9, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
A third man was charged in the incident. Harris T McClam, 56, of Vyse Street in Bronx, NY was charged with Forgery 2 (two counts), Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Impersonation, Conspiracy t9 Commit Identity Theft 2, Personal Identification Device, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 2. His bond was set at $5,000.
All three men share a date in Stamford Superior Court on Dec 23, 2019.