Trio Charged in Apparent Bank Scam

Three Bronx men are facing identity theft and conspiracy charges after they were caught trying to take out $4,500 from a Darien bank, according to police.

The incident occurred around 5 p.m. Thursday, when police received a call from the manager of HSBC Bank (151 Post Rd.) with a description of a man trying to make a suspicious withdrawal at the bank.

Officers arrived at the scene quickly, according to Capt. Fred Komm, where they found a person matching that description — Christopher Godwin, 31 — leaving the building.

As police interviewed him, Godwin acknowledged that he had attempted to withdraw $4,500 from an account that wasn't his, Komm said. He reportedly used a forged New York license under the name Justin Mathei, but the teller suspected the ID to be a fake.

Godwin also told police that two accomplices had dropped him off and were waiting in a vehicle parked at nearby (211 Post Rd.).

When officers arrived at the station, they found Israel Elihu, 35, and Darrin Guerrero, 31, waiting in a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. An iPad with directions to the bank was reportedly found inside, along with additional fake IDs and matching account details.

According to Komm, the incident was one of a larger string of fraudulent withdrawals by the trio, who have "significant criminal histories engaging in this type of crime."

"[But] we just don't know the extent of the impact right now or how many banks were involved," Komm said.

Godwin was charged with criminal impersonation, interfering with an officer, conspiracy to commit 3rd degree larceny, identity theft, and second degree forgery. He was released on a promise to appear in court April 25.

Elihu was charged with interfering with an officer and conspiracy to commit third degree larceny. He was held on $75,000 bond and appeared in court Friday.

Guerrero was charged with criminal impersonation, interfering with an officer, conspiracy to commit third degree larceny, identity theft, and second degree forgery. He, too, was held on $75,000 bond and appeared in court Friday.