Foursome Arrested in Fake Check Attempt on Greenwich Avenue

On Dec 13 around 4:30pm Greenwich Police received a call from Chase Bank at 197 Greenwich Avenue about a female wearing a green hoodie and black sweat pants who had come in and attempted to cash a fraudulent Check.

Police say the woman had left on foot and walked toward the rear parking lot.

Officers quickly arrived on scene and observed a woman fitting the bank’s description getting into a white Honda Civic parked in a handicap spot.

Officers approached the vehicle which was occupied by four individuals. After a brief investigation Police confirmed that the woman, who was identified by her New York Stat ID card was Makeeba Mercedes Bell, was the person who attempted to cash a fraudulent check.

Police also learned that the other three occupants within the Civic had conspired with the attempt to cash the check.

A search of the car yielded $11,548 in cash and $1,890 in money orders.

Ms. Bell was charged with Criminal Attempt Larceny 5, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 5, Identity Theft 3, Criminal Impersonation and Forgery 2. She was released on a Promise to Appear in Court on Dec 28, 2018.

The three others in the car were John Valenzuela, Dylan Christopher McKenzie and Eddie Hernandez.

Mr. Hernandez, 25, of Gerard Ave in Bronx, NY falsely identified himself as Andrew Hernandez. While searching Mr. Hernandez officers located $4992 in cash on his person.  He was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 5, Criminal Attempt Larceny 5, Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft 3, and Interfering with an Officer/Resisting. His bond was set at $500,000, which he was unable to post. He has a date in Stamford Superior Court on Dec 28, 2018.

While searching Dylan Christopher McKenzie police found two grams of marijuana. McKenzie, 23, of Bronx River in Yonkers was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance > 1/2 oz Cannabis, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 5, Criminal Attempt Larceny 5, and Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft 3. His bond was set at $25,000 which he was unable to post. He also has a date in Stamford Superior Court on December 28, 2018.

Police say that while searching the vehicle, officers located $6,556 in cash in the driver’s door pocket where Mr. Valenzuela was seated. Valenzuela, 23, of Grand Concourse in Bronx, NY was charged with Criminal Attempt Larceny 5, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 5, Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft 3 and Interfering with an Officer/Resisting. His bond was set at $500,000 and has shares the other’s court date in Stamford on Dec 28, 2018.