Alert Greenwich Bank Employees' Actions Lead to ID Theft Arrest

A man is facing identity theft and forgery charges after alert bank employees discovered discrepancies with Social Security numbers he reportedly used when opening a bank account.

According to a Greenwich Police report, the suspect apparently opened bank accounts at Wells Fargo bank branch in Larchmont, NY on May 21 using the name and Social Security number of a Nelson Arroyo of Bronx, NY, who had co-signed a Wells Fargo loan. When bank employees later determined that the Social Security number on the refund check didn't match the Social Security number provided by the suspect, bank officials placed a hold on the account, according to the report.

Then on May 22, when the suspect, who also used the name of Nelson Arroyo, reportedly called the Wells Fargo branch at 28 Havemeyer Pl. in downtown Greenwich to report he was unable to use his debit card, he was asked to come to the branch to "clear up issues with his account." 

When the suspect showed up about 2:30 p.m. May 22, bank employees called Greenwich Police. The suspect was on the phone then "abruptly got up, threw a chair and ran out of the building where he was confronted by police," according to the report.

The suspect tried to flee and was caught after police used a Taser. Police found the man had a book of starter checks, one of which was made out to himself for $1,400 and endorsed with a signature that matched the one written on the Social Security check he had deposited the day before. Police also seized a Republic of Guinea passport and US Visa which was found to be "fraudulent as it was associated to a female in Botswana," according to the police report.

The man was charged with first-degree forgery, second-degree identity theft, criminal attempt at fourth-degree larceny and interfering with an officer. The man, who police said, his "true identity has yet to be determined," was held on $250,000 bond. 

At his court appearance May 23, "Arroyo"'s bond was increased to $350,000 and he is scheduled to return to state Superior Court in Stamford on June 6, according to the Connecticut Judicial Branch website.