First Squad Detectives report the details of a Grand Larceny/Elder Scam that occurred on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 4:15 PM in Rockville Centre.
According to Detectives, a 69-year-old female victim received a phone call from an unknown male claiming to be her grandson. Another male acting as an attorney named Michael Waller stated he needed 17,000.00 USC to bail out her grandson. The victim was instructed to retrieve the money and a courier would be sent to her residence to pick it up. The victim became suspicious and immediately contacted police.
Detectives then coordinated the delivery of the package to the intended parties located at 1610 Old Country Road, Westbury where a subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Pedro Ramon Martinez Martinez, 28, of 19301 NW 47 Avenue, Miami Gardens FL and Wayne Ibarra-Hernandez, 31, of 17640 NW 37 Avenue, Miami Gardens FL. The investigation also resulted in approximately $50,000 US Currency being recovered.
Martinez Martinez and Ibarra-Hernandez are both charged with Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree. They will be arraigned on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 9:00AM in First District Court, 99 Main Street Hempstead.
The Nassau County Police Department urges the community to be on alert and to remind vulnerable family members, friends and neighbors about potential scams or frauds.
Detective’s request anyone with information regarding the above incident to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.
