Sonoma County prosecutors on Tuesday, Feb. 24, filed multiple felony charges against three New York residents who are accused in a fraud scheme that involved banks across the Bay Area.
According to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, investigators identified the trio as part of an inquiry that lasted several months and focused on at least five people who had traveled from New York and were involved in fraudulent bank withdrawals.
On Friday, Feb. 20, investigators watched as the suspects allegedly tried to make additional fraudulent withdrawals at banks across the Bay Area. Police arrested Carleen McGeachie, Richard Logan and Heaven Richards, all New York residents, without incident, authorities said.
After the arrests, investigators served a search warrant at a hotel in Vacaville where the suspects had been staying. Authorities said investigators found more than $15,000 in cash and items tied to identity theft, including fake identification cards and credit cards. Additional evidence was found in the suspects’ vehicle, according to officials.
Prosecutors filed felony charges against the defendants related to bank fraud and identity theft at their first court appearance Tuesday morning. Because of bail enhancements, all three had previously been booked with no bail and remained in custody Tuesday, according to jail records.