Darien, CT: A 28-year-old man from New Jersey was taken into custody by Darien police for allegedly stealing two personal checks from a local resident who had sent them to pay taxes a year ago.
The police account includes accusations with additional details that have not been proven in court.
On Jan. 16, 2023, the victim mailed two personal checks to pay his taxes. However, on May 19 of the same year, the IRS informed him that the payment was missing.
After checking with his bank, the victim discovered that both checks had cleared, but were made out to “Love Flow Logistics” and endorsed by David Velazquez. The values on the checks and the victim’s signature remained the same.
A Darien police detective discovered two owners of an account where checks were deposited while investigating bank records with a search warrant. David Velazquez was among those.
The detective sought and obtained a new search warrant for an internet address that ultimately traced back to Velazquez’s residence in Warren, New Jersey. Velazquez claimed the checks were payment to his company and said he could provide documentation. He did not.
On September 7, 2023, an arrest warrant was issued by Darien police charging Velazquez with first-degree identity theft, first-degree larceny, and third-degree forgery. Velazquez arrested and held in Morris County Correctional Centre on Feb. 19 of this year. Darien law enforcement officers apprehended him for the Connecticut charges and transported him to Darien Police Headquarters.
After being held on a $100,000 court-set bond, the individual appeared in state Superior Court in Stamford where the bond was reduced to $25,000. He was then released after paying 7% of it ($1,750), as reported by the state Judicial Branch website. His next court appearance is set for April 14th.