Prosecutor: 31 Arrested in Monmouth County ATM Scam

Investigations into regional criminal scams across the state involving the fraudulent use of debit cards to make unauthorized cash withdrawals at Santander Bank ATMs led to the arrest of more than two dozen people in Monmouth County, more locally in Little Silver, on Tuesday, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Friday.

A glitch in Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) belonging to Santander Banks was exploited, allowing the perpetrators to use prepaid debit cards to make continuous withdrawals of cash from the ATMs. The prepaid debit cards, such as Green Dot cards used by other scammers involved in telephone schemes, can be purchased at most retail stores. The bank was alerted to higher-than-usual ATM withdrawals and eventually closed down its ATM locations.

Santander Bank has subsequently corrected the glitch in its ATM machines.

The following arrests were made:

By Little Silver police …

• Robert F. Aiello, 55, of Mountain Lakes, is charged with fourth-degree credit card theft, third-degree fraudulent use of a credit card, third- degree conspiracy (theft by ulawful taking), third-degree receiving stolen property, theft of United States currency, and a disorderly persons offense of possession of less than 50 mg of marijuana.

• Raim A Duplessis, 23, of Newark, is charged with fourth-degree credit card theft and fourth-degree conspiracy to commit credit card theft.

• Zamir Zhaire Knox, 21, of Union, is charged with fourth-degree credit card theft, third-degree fraudulent use of a credit card, third-degree conspiracy (theft by an unlawful taking), two counts of third-degree receiving stolen property; and fourth-degree obstruction.

• Giovanni Neville Tyrell, 24, of Teaneck, is charged with fourth-degree credit card theft, third-degree conspiracy to commit credit card theft, and a disorderly persons offense of possession of less than 50 mg of marijuana.

• Martin J. Rosendary, 24, of Union, is charged with fourth-degree credit card theft, third-degree fraudulent use of a credit card, third-degree conspiracy (theft by an unlawful taking), and fourth-degree obstruction.

• Briana Aviles, 22, of Newark, is charged with fourth-degree credit card theft, third-degree fraudulent use of a credit card, third-degree conspiracy (theft by an unlawful taking, third-degree receiving stolen property; and a disorderly persons offense of possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana.

• Markeem Louise Jackson, 36, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with fourth- degree credit card theft, third-degree receiving stolen property; and disorderly persons offenses of possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Wayne Hill, 22, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with fourth-degree credit card theft, and third-degree conspiracy (theft by an unlawful taking).

By Holmdel police …

• Derrick Jackson, 23, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with third-degree criminal attempt (fraudulent use of a credit card).

By Marlboro police …

Marlboro police officers observed individuals loitering in a lobby of the ATM at Santander. The suspects were subsequently detained during a traffic stop by Old Bridge Police Department.

Those charged and the charges …

• Ishmil Q. Harmon, 28, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with third-degree theft by unlawful taking and third-degree computer crime to access with the purpose to defraud.

• Devaim K. Fulmore, 23, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with third-degree theft by unlawful taking and third-degree computer crime to access with the purpose to defraud.

• Shyiem L. McLean, 22, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with third-degree theft by unlawful taking and third-degree computer crime to access with the purpose to defraud.

• Charles E. Sprowal Jr., 22, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with third-degree theft by unlawful taking and third-degree computer crime to access with the purpose to defraud.

By Freehold police …

• Damon C Joseph, 23, of Bronx, NY, is charged with third-degree theft, fourth-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and fourth-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.

• Quran E Martin, 25, of East Harlem, NY, is charged with third-degree theft, fourth-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and fourth-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.

By Wall police …

• Anthony J. Kelly, 31, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with one count of third-degree theft by unlawful taking and possession of marijuana under 50 grams, a disorderly persons offense.

• Clifton Davis, 29, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with one count of third degree theft by unlawful taking, one count of third degree possession of oxycodone and possession of marijuana under 50 grams, a disorderly persons offense.

• Barrington L. Wright, 25, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with one count of third degree theft by unlawful taking and possession of marijuana under 50 grams, a disorderly persons offense.

• Sean Bennett, 22, of Chester, NY, is charged with one count of fourth degree theft by unlawful taking, possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, both disorderly persons offenses.

• Robert J. Glisson Jr., 24, of Bronx, N Y, is charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, both disorderly persons offenses.

• Timothy Gonzalez, 26, of Bronx, NY, is charged with one count of fourth degree theft by unlawful taking, possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, both disorderly persons offenses.

• Quenton L. Price, 24, of Bethlehem, PA, is charged with one count of fourth degree theft by unlawful taking, possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, both disorderly persons offenses.

• Tyrell T. Mingo, 24, of Teaneck, is charged with one count of third degree theft by unlawful taking, possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, both disorderly persons offenses. Mingo is being held the Monmouth County Correctional Institution and pending a future court date.

• Leroy C. Woods-Williams, 24, of Hackensack, is charged with one count of third degree theft by unlawful taking, possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, both disorderly persons offenses. Woods-Williams is being held the Monmouth County Correctional Institution and pending a future court date.

By Englishtown police …

• Cesar Armando Ortiz, Jr., 25, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with fourth- degree conspiracy (theft by an unlawful taking), third-degree criminal attempt (theft by an unlawful taking); and the disorderly persons offenses of possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Asaun Stone, 24, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with fourth-degree conspiracy (theft by an unlawful taking), third-degree criminal attempt –theft by an unlawful taking; and the disorderly persons offenses of possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• David Gorin Redding, 23, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with fourth-degree conspiracy (theft by an unlawful taking), third-degree criminal attempt (theft by an unlawful taking; and the disorderly persons offenses of possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Noel Machado, 29, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with fourth-degree conspiracy (theft by an unlawful taking, third-degree criminal attempt), theft by an unlawful taking; and the disorderly persons offenses of possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Denzel I. Gravenhise, 26, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with fourth-degree conspiracy (theft by an unlawful taking), third-degree criminal attempt (theft by an unlawful taking); and the disorderly persons offenses of possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Teru J. Pratt, 26, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with fourth-degree conspiracy (theft by an unlawful taking), third-degree criminal attempt (theft by an unlawful taking); and the disorderly persons offenses of possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Gregory M. Harrington, 31, of Brooklyn, NY, is charged with fourth- degree conspiracy (theft by an unlawful taking), third-degree criminal Attempt (theft by an unlawful taking); and disorderly persons offenses of possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The potential sentences, if convicted …

If convicted of a third-degree crime, each defendant faces a sentence of three to five years in a New Jersey state prison.

If convicted of a fourth-degree offense, each defendant faces up to 18 months in a New Jersey state prison.

A disorderly persons offense carries a sentence of up to six (6) months.

Authorities are aware of multiple attempts that were made in municipalities across Monmouth County but have not resulted in any arrests. If anyone has additional information about this statewide scam, please call your local police department or contact Detective Sergeant Elethia Baldwin of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android – https://www.p3tips.com/1182), or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

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