New York State Police arrest Bronx man after months-long investigation into widespread identity theft and financial fraud

Rochester, New York – A 65-year-old Bronx resident is now behind bars following his arrest in connection with a complex identity theft and fraud investigation that stretched across multiple jurisdictions in New York State. Frank Torres was taken into custody on April 8, 2025, by members of the New York State Police (NYSP) in SP Lyons, following months of investigation involving several law enforcement agencies.

The charges stem from an incident dating back to July 24, 2024, when troopers were first called to Reliant Credit Union at 205 N. Main Street in Newark, NY. According to authorities, a man—later identified as Torres—used fake identification to withdraw $4,500 from a victim’s account. The case quickly grew in scope as more fraudulent activity began to surface.

After the initial report, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at SP Lyons dug deeper and uncovered another attempted fraud involving Torres at a different Reliant Credit Union location, this time in Macedon, NY. Investigators say Torres tried to pull off a similar scheme there, but it was stopped before any money was lost.

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Authorities presented their findings to the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office, which later brought the case before a grand jury. As a result, the Wayne County Superior Court issued an arrest warrant for Torres on February 6, 2025.

Bringing Torres into custody required collaboration between various agencies. The New York State Police worked closely with the Troop NYC Community Task Force, and the breakthrough came when Torres was located by NYC Probation Officers. He was then turned over to the NYSP, processed at SP Lyons, and taken to the Wayne County Jail where he awaits arraignment in Wayne County Court.

Frank Torres now faces a list of serious charges, including:

• Three counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree (Class D Felony)
• One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class D Felony)
• One count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class D Felony)
• One count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class E Felony)
• Two counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (Class E Felony)
• Two counts of Forgery in the Third Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)

The case illustrates how fraudulent activity can move across county lines and how crucial inter-agency cooperation is in handling such crimes. Alongside NYSP and NYC Probation, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the investigation.

“These kinds of financial crimes not only harm individuals whose identities are stolen but also place additional burdens on local banks and credit unions,” one official familiar with the investigation said. “Quick action and communication between law enforcement agencies made this arrest possible.”

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Authorities did not release further information on whether Torres acted alone or was part of a larger network. However, the investigation remains open, and additional charges or arrests may follow if more victims or fraudulent activity are uncovered.

As financial fraud continues to grow more sophisticated, officials are urging residents to monitor their financial accounts closely and report any suspicious activity. Law enforcement emphasized that prompt reporting was critical in this case, helping stop Torres before he could do more damage.

Frank Torres remains in custody at the Wayne County Jail as the legal process moves forward. His arraignment in Wayne County Court is pending.