Two Philly Residents Charged In Newtown Check Fraud Scheme

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Two Philadelphia men have been charged with forgery and identity theft in connection with stolen checks reported in November.

In November 2020, police were contacted by various local residents who reported to be victims of check fraud. Each resident had mailed their checks on the same particular date, using the outside mail collection box at the Newtown Post Office at 20 Terry Drive.

During their investigation, police learned that one of the victim's checks had been altered to increase the dollar amount on the check and the party name that the check was to be paid to was changed to the name Jamyra Brimley.

On Monday, police announced additional forgery and theft charges against Philadelphia residents Heriberto Texeira Jr., 33, and Bolivar Otanez, 57, after detectives learned that one of the victim's checks had been altered to increase the dollar amount on the check and the party name of the check was changed to Heriberto Texeira, authorities said.

Bank records later confirmed that the check was deposited into Texeira's personal bank account and the funds were withdrawn in a series of cash withdrawals by both Texeria and Otanez, according to police.

During a police interview, Texeira admitted to opening the account for Otanez, and Otanez admitted to keeping a portion of the money for himself and providing the remainder of the funds to other co-conspirators, police said.

On Monday, the two men turned themselves in and were arraigned by Judge Michael Petrucci. Bail was set for each person at $100,000 and they were ordered not to have contact with the victim in the case.

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