North Tonawanda, NY – Police in North Tonawanda arrested two men this week after uncovering a fraudulent loan scheme that allegedly involved forged documents and stolen personal information, authorities announced Friday.
According to the North Tonawanda Police Department, the arrests came after a local financial institution reported on December 9 that it had unknowingly processed a loan application using a stolen identity. The bank was able to halt payment before any funds were released and contacted police.
Suspect returned to bank, arrested on site
Officers set up surveillance around the financial institution the next day after learning that the suspect planned to return. Detectives observed a vehicle dropping off a man who matched the description from the prior day’s visit.
The suspect, identified as Anthony L. Tillmon, 41, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was taken into custody inside the bank without incident. Police later stopped the vehicle that had dropped him off and arrested the driver, Gregory W. Charles, 40, of Jamaica, New York.
Felony charges filed in loan fraud case
Investigators said Tillmon used forged documents and stolen personal data to attempt to secure the fraudulent loan. He faces multiple felony charges, including grand larceny in the second degree, identity theft in the first degree, criminal possession of a forged instrument, conspiracy, and falsifying business records.
Charles was charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny for his alleged role in the scheme. Both suspects were arrested without incident.
Ongoing investigation
The North Tonawanda Police Department credited quick coordination between detectives and the financial institution for preventing the release of funds and stopping the fraud attempt. The investigation remains active as police work to determine whether the suspects are connected to other similar cases.
