State Police Thwart Check Scam Ring
Troop F Commander
The New York State Police announce the arrests of Delondre B. Rickett, age 23, and Ardea Hines, age 27, both of Newburgh, NY and Joshua Suarez, age 29, of Salisbury Mills, NY. Mr. Rickett was charged with Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, (class E felony) 2 counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, (class D felonies), Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree, (class A misdemeanor), and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, a violation. Mr. Hines was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, (class D felonies) and 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, (class D felonies). In addition, Joshua Suarez was charged with Criminal Impersonation Second Degree, (class A misdemeanor), as well as being wanted by both New York City Police Department on a bench warrant for Assault Second Degree and Amsterdam Police Department for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree.
A two week investigation revealed that Mr. Rickett and Mr. Hines were involved in a scam where they compromised a New York City firm’s bank checking account by opening up a bogus bank account at a local bank having branches in Newburgh and New Windsor, NY. Fraudulent withdrawals totaling over $15,000.00 were made from banks in the Towns of Newburgh and New Windsor. On 7/20/2015 the two men attempted to withdraw $9,000.00 at a local bank in Newburgh when they were apprehended and taken into custody by members of the New York State Police at Montgomery. The investigation is ongoing with further arrests and charges pending.
All three men were arraigned before Town of Newburgh Judge Martini and ordered to re-appear on August 3, 2015. Delondre B. Rickett was released after posting $1,000.00 cash bail. Ardea Hines was remanded to Orange County Jail with no bail being set and Joshua Suarez was remanded to Orange County Jail on $1,500.00 cash bail. As well as the two warrants being lodged against Mr. Suarez.
