'Known Fraud Suspects' Arrested At Fairfield Business: Police

FAIRFIELD, CT — Two New York men were stopped by police in the process of making fraudulent withdrawals Wednesday at a Fairfield bank, according to law enforcement.

Ralph J. Cione, 58, and Omar B. Collazo, 26, had numerous fake IDs and fraudulent debit cards when police arrested them, law enforcement said, noting Cione also tried to use a fake name.

The incident began when police responded to the People’s Bank location in Stop & Shop on Kings Highway Cutoff after receiving a report from People’s Bank corporate security that “a group of known fraud suspects” were at the store, law enforcement said. Officers found one of the men trying to leave the property on foot, while detectives stopped the getaway driver as he attempted to exit the parking lot, according to police.

Cione was charged with first-degree forgery, third-degree forgery, identity theft, interfering and sixth-degree larceny, police said. Collazo was charged with conspiracy to commit third-degree forgery and conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny, according to police.

Cione was released on a $1,000 bond and Collazo was released on a $5,000 bond, police said. Both are scheduled to appear in court April 21.