UTICA, N.Y. — A Utica man was charged last week in connection with a fraudulent bank transaction that led to a $1,500 loss for a local financial institution.
In mid-April, Utica Police received a report from a local bank that a customer had deposited a check for nearly $4,000 and immediately withdrew $1,500. The following day, the bank determined that there were insufficient funds in the account to cover the deposited check, causing the loss.
Due to the amount involved, the case was referred to an investigator with the Utica Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the bank and, with the assistance of the Mohawk Valley Crime Analysis Center and New York State Parole, identified the suspect.
Authorities determined that the individual, later identified as Kevin Singleton-Lee, 34, of Utica, was already incarcerated at the Oneida County Jail on unrelated charges.
Suspect charged after investigation
On June 12, Singleton-Lee was transported to the Utica Police Department, where he was formally charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree.
No additional details regarding the original deposit or the separate charge that led to his incarceration have been released.
The investigation was conducted in coordination with multiple agencies, highlighting the use of surveillance technology and inter-agency cooperation in identifying the suspect.
Singleton-Lee remains in custody as the legal process moves forward.