Milan police seek suspect in identity theft scam that defrauded two local banks
Milan police are attempting to identify this man, who is wanted for identity fraud.
Photo courtesy of Milan police
Milan police are trying to identify a man who stole thousands of dollars from two different banks with an altered out-of-state driver’s license.
Authorities released surveillance camera images taken shortly after the man entered the Bank of America branch at 108 W. Main St. shortly after noon on Oct. 13 and withdrew $6,500, Police Chief Jeff Lewis said. The same man is believed to have made another $5,000 withdrawal at a Bank of America branch in Dundee later that day.
The man was not in disguise. He was wearing a hat and appeared well-dressed, police said.
Lewis said in both incidents, the man used a California identification with a valid name and address to get the money from the teller. But investigators believe he placed his own photo on the card with the other person's information.
The man was denied cash at branches in Ann Arbor and Lansing, Lewis said.
Officers with the Foster City Police Department in California contacted Milan police the day the withdrawals occurred, a police report said. The victim, a 35-year-old Foster City resident, insisted he did not authorize anyone to make transactions on his account.
Local bank officials were already aware of the fraud from security officials and are cooperating with police.
Authorities in Dundee are conducting their own their investigation and couldn't immediately be reached.
The man could face several felony charges ranging from fraud to identity theft, according to reports.
A physical description of the man was not available.
Anyone with information is asked to call the department at 734-439-1551.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
RJA
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 2:51 p.m.
I see where his right ear has more of a point than the left. Humm, wonder if this will help? Great clear pictures.
M.
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 8:43 p.m.
Thinking the same thing Mark A.
boom
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 1:45 p.m.
He was probably denied in Ann Arbor and Lansing because the teller system showed the previous withdrawals and the teller or a manager would have questioned him on why he was making another large cash withdrawal. Also, the bank should have reported him to the IRS for taking out more than $10,000 that day. The teller would have been flagged at that point.
Mark A.
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 11:53 a.m.
Looks like a disguise to me. A good disguise isn't obvious. I doubt that the man normally wears a hat or glasses or a graying beard.
treetowncartel
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
That is pretty wide network he has. An ID card from California, and to top it all off he knew there was a significant amount of money in the account. I wonder why the other two banks declined the transactions?
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 11:07 a.m.
can bank of america release the name of their camera supplier? i mean, FINALLY a non-grainy photo that can be made out.
Cash
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 10:57 a.m.
I hope they are sharing the photos with Ohio police....sounds like he might have either come from that direction or be headed to that location.
Hmm
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 10:52 a.m.
That is a lot of money to steal like that!