Two WNY men charged with identity theft and fraud
Last week, the office of the Attorney General in New Jersey announced that two West New York men were indicted on Aug. 27 for their alleged roles in an identity theft and insurance fraud scam.
According to a release on the office’s website, Remny Gomez, 23, has been charged with second-degree theft of identity, as well as trafficking in personal identifying information, insurance fraud, attempted theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and two counts of theft by deception (all in the third degree).
William Collado, 27, also of West New York, was charged with third-degree insurance fraud.
The indictment alleges that Gomez used fraudulent credit and debit cards to make more than $4,300 worth of purchases between Feb. 16 and March 13, 2008, and that Gomez was in possession of a stolen BMW 745, valued in excess of $30,000, which he fraudulently insured allegedly knowing that it had been stolen.
Gomez was arrested on March 13, 2008 while allegedly attempting to use a $100 gift card to purchase an $850 computer in a Walmart in Secaucus. During the transaction, a check-out clerk noticed that the account numbers on the check-out slip did not match the numbers on the gift card. Further investigation revealed that Gomez allegedly possessed a number of credit cards that had been re-encoded.
It is alleged that Collado assisted Gomez in using the personal identifying information of another person in an electronic application for the purpose of obtaining automobile insurance in New Jersey for a 1998 Lexus GS300, including the other person’s driver’s license number, and date of birth and address, without the knowledge or authorization of the victim.
The insurance fraud was allegedly committed by Gomez and Collado working together to insure vehicles in the name of an innocent victim. The alleged fraud was discovered when the victim received insurance documents in the mail concerning a vehicle she had never purchased or insured, and reported the incident to the police.
The second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $150,000, while crimes of the third degree carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a criminal fine of $15,000.
UCPD arrest alleged drug dealer and teen drug user
Police Chief Charles Everett has confirmed that late last week the Union City Police Department took down an alleged drug dealer after several weeks of investigation.
According to a release from the police department, on Aug. 25 at approximately 10:30 a.m., Francisco Ortiz Jr., 22 was arrested after members of the Union City Police Gang Suppression Unit and Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at his home on 39th Street.
The Hudson County Corrections K-9 unit assisted in the search, which yielded sixty-three individual packages of alleged crack cocaine and over $500.00 in cash.
Ortiz was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, distribution within 1,000 feet of a school, and two counts of distribution within 500 feet of a park/public place.
And on Aug. 30, according to published reports, police arrested a Union City teen on drug charges after they were called to investigate a car blocking a driveway on 23rd Street.
According to the report, police saw the 18-year old and a 20-year old passenger from Jersey City, crouching down inside the car as they approached, and police said they saw a clear plastic bag containing marijuana in the center console and a bong in the back seat.
The Union City teen admitted to owning the marijuana and the bong, and was charged with possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
WNY police arrest two alleged drug dealers
O n Aug. 27, West New York Police arrested neighbors Antonio Parra and Ramon Felipe, both of Hudson Avenue, on drug charges after police conducted a raid on their homes, according to Police Director Albert Bringa.
Bringa said the investigation, which began in early August, was the result of an anonymous tip from a resident.
According to police, their investigation included several undercover transactions prior to the raid.
At Parra’s home police said they confiscated 35 small bags of alleged cocaine and $74 in cash from a hidden compartment.
And at Felipe’s home, police said they found 17 small bags of alleged cocaine.
Both men were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance near a school zone, possession within 500 feet from public property, and with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense, according to police.
UC to observe Patriot Day with ceremony
The City of Union City will be observing Patriot Day by holding a “Ceremony of Remembrance” on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at Liberty Plaza, located on 30th Street between New York and Palisade avenues. Everyone in the community is invited to attend.
Meadowlands celebrates Festival of Birding
On Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission will celebrate the 7th Annual Festival of Birding with walks, eco-cruises, and workshops geared toward birders and nature lovers of all experience levels.
The event is being organized by Hackensack Riverkeeper and the New Jersey Audubon Society, and is sponsored by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. For information or to register visit hackensackriverkeeper.org/BirdFest10.htm or call (201) 968-0808.
UC Commissioner to star in ‘wild’ NYC show
On Sept. 10 at 7 p.m., Union City Commissioner Lucio Fernandez, also known in his artist form as “The Cuban Kid,” will bring his comedic antics to The Broadway Comedy Club, 318 W. 53rd St. in New York City, to star in the new show “Simply Magnificent!” alongside Leonid The Magnificent, who was featured on America’s Got Talent.
During the “wildly exotic” show, the two compete to take over the spotlight on the stage with a unique cocktail of circus acts, song, dance, comedy, and lavish costumes.
For more information, call (917) 405-8441 or visit www.Leo-Leopatra.com.