UTICA, NY – The Utica Police Department has reported a series of fraudulent check incidents linked to a local bank, occurring between February 8th and May 24th. During this period, victims at bank ATMs and walk-up tellers were approached by an unknown male who persuaded them to deposit checks and withdraw equivalent cash amounts.
Days after these transactions, victims were notified by the bank that the checks were fraudulent, leading to financial losses equal to the amounts of the deposits. The investigation, led by an investigator from the Criminal Investigations Division, identified two individuals responsible for these acts across Central and Western New York.
On May 30th, Charles Randall, aged 27, from Rochester, was arrested by the Rochester Police Department. He has been charged with grand larceny in the third degree, scheme to defraud in the first degree, and criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree on four counts. Randall was transported to Utica for processing.
The investigation remains active with additional charges and further arrests anticipated as the case progresses.