Brooklyn trio busted in Mahopac for possessing stolen property, forgery 

Three Brooklyn residents were arrested in Mahopac on Feb. 1 after Carmel police say they were found in possession of fraudulently purchased electronics, counterfeit identification and an overdue rental vehicle. 

A Carmel Police Department K-9 officer responded to a report of a suspicious U-Haul van parked in the Skyline Towing lot on Route 6 and located a white truck with Arizona registration occupied by two men and a woman, police said. 

According to authorities, the occupants gave inconsistent and deceptive explanations about their travel and why they were in the area. A consensual search of the vehicle led officers to three new iPads, five new iPhones and a pair of AirPods Pro Max, all in original packaging, along with receipts reflecting fraudulent purchases made using the identity and financial information of a victim from Westchester, Ill., police said. 

Officers also recovered two counterfeit Illinois driver’s licenses bearing false identities and multiple stolen financial cards during searches of the suspects, police said. 

The rental company confirmed the U-Haul was significantly overdue and that the three individuals were not authorized to possess or operate the vehicle, authorities said. 

The suspects were charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, second-degree criminal impersonation, and third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle. They were processed at Carmel Police headquarters and released on appearance tickets to return at a later date to Carmel Justice Court. 

Police Chief Anthony Hoffmann credited both the reporting party and officers for the arrest. 

“This case highlights the importance of the public reporting suspicious activity,” Hoffmann said. “Thanks to a vigilant caller and thorough police work, we were able to stop what appears to be an organized fraud scheme and recover stolen property.” 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Carmel Police Department at 845-628-1300. 

Article provided by Carmel PD