Two out of four women who tried to use money from a stolen bank account, were arrested by Bogota Police. Two of them took off as our officers were arriving, but we got two others. Detective Captain James Sepp said. Bogota police were quick to the scene of the Wells Fargo bank on Main Street, after an employee called about their very suspicious demeanor. Chastity Allen a 31 year old and Raven Thomas a 24 year old were both arrested by Sergeant Craig Lynch and Police Officer Devin Riviera. Both women are being held in the Bergen County Jail on $15,000 each. Detectives also believe that they are part of a larger crime ring. The four of them are believed to steal people s accounts, and create fake checks, and travel into New Jersey and cash them. The other two suspects are currently being located and their identities have not yet been released.They have been charged with passing bad checks and forgery as well as theft by deception.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5 which is issuing bad checks. It is graded depending on the amount of the check fraudulently issued. It is a crime of the 2nd degree if the amount is over $75,000. A crime of the 3rd degree is an amount over $1,000 but less than $75,000. A crime of the 4th is over $200 and under $1,000. If a person just issues a bad check it is a disorderly persons offense.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1 which is forgery. It involves altering or writing on a check without authorization. It is a crime of the 3rd degree, if the forgery involves money, and a check. A crime of the 3rd degree, if found guilty a person is looking at a New Jersey State Prison sentence of 3 to 5 years.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4 which is theft by deception. It involves creating a false impression to another to obtain that is not theirs . It is a graded degree of the crime depending on the monetary amounts. It is a crime of the 2nd if the amount is $75,000 or more, as well as other important criteria. It is a crime of the 3rd degree if the amount is more than $500 but less than $75,000. As well as other criteria to be a 3rd degree crime. It is a crime of the 4th degree if the amount is more $200 but less than $500. If not meeting any of the criteria above it is a disorderly persons offense, which is punishable by up to 6 months in county jail.
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