Two Charged in $50K Identity Theft Probe

A Bronx man and a Pennsylvania man have been charged in an identity theft probe that was launched after $50,000 in fraudulent purchases were made on the credit card account of a Westchester County resident, according to State Police.

Almanzor Dejesus-Castro, 31, of the Bronx, and Paul Abreu-Grullon, 38, of Reading, PA, are accused of third-degree attempted grand larceny and are being held in the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla on $10,000 bail.

In October, State Police Investigator James Stirpe of the Somers Barracks initiated an investigation which stemmed from a Somers resident having her credit card information stolen and subsequent fraudulent purchases being made. About $50,000 worth of computer equipment was charged against her credit card and others throughout the state.

Police said large orders were placed at various computer companies in the U.S. and pick up was arranged at major shipping hubs. During the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office, a controlled pick-up from a post office in Somers was coordinated. Dejesus-Castro arrived at the Somers Post Office and retrieved one of 40 packages that he was scheduled to pick-up, police said.

Police surveillance was being maintained and as he left the Post Office Dejesus-Castro was arrested and taken into custody without incident. Abreu-Grullon, who was waiting in a nearby van, observed the arrest and attempted to flee. Abreu-Grullon was immediately arrested on Route 202 a short distance from the Post Office without incident.

Both men were processed at the Somers State Police barracks and arraigned before Judge Dennis Timone of the Town of Somers Court.  Police said the investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending.