SOUTH BOUND BROOK, NJ – Somerset County authorities have arrested Carlos R. Escobar, 38, of North Plainfield, and Ciro A. Saenz-Puentes, 44, of New Brunswick, for theft by deception and forgery related to their former employer, a contracting firm in South Bound Brook.
The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, along with the South Bound Brook Police Department, conducted the investigation. The probe was initiated after the owner of the contracting company raised concerns about financial improprieties.
Investigators found that Escobar and Saenz-Puentes had stolen blank checks from their employer, forged signatures, and cashed them for unauthorized purchases. The fraudulent activities resulted in an estimated loss of $65,156.02 for the firm and occurred between September and December 2022.
Both men were arrested on September 8 without incident at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. They were charged with 3rd degree Theft by Deception, 3rd degree Forgery, and 3rd degree Uttering a False Document. Escobar and Saenz-Puentes were processed and released, with court hearings pending.