A 15-month investigation by the Wilton Police Department has led to the arrest of a man who allegedly deposited a stolen check issued by the Town of Wilton into a fake account.
Davis Segui, 61, of Brooklyn, NY, was arrested Wednesday, July 30, and charged with first-degree larceny and first-degree identity theft.
The check, earmarked for A. Secondino & Son, Inc., in payment for some of their work as the contractor on the police headquarters construction project, was mailed to the company but never reached them.
According to Police Information Officer Lt. Anna Tornello, on April 12, the Wilton Finance Department contacted Wilton Police to issue a complaint that the check had not reached the intended recipient, prompting an investigation.
“The check was originally placed in the blue USPS mailbox on Town Hall property,” according to a summary issued by the WPD. “A copy of the processed check showed that the check was signed and deposited in what appeared to be the recipient’s account, however it was later discovered that the account had been fraudulently opened in the name of the intended recipient.”
Police did not disclose the name of the bank, nor the amount of the check, though it would have had to have been more than $20,000 to qualify for first-degree larceny.
According to police, Segui was captured on the bank surveillance video using a forged ID to open the the account and subsequently deposit the stolen check. The investigation remains open, as detectives are working to identify and apprehend co-conspirators in the fraud scheme.
“Cases like this, where a municipality falls victim to fraud, are of great public concern,” Police Chief Tom Conlan said in the statement. “I’m pleased we were able to hold this offender accountable.”
Police said the assistance of U.S. Marshals Service was used in locating and apprehending Segui in New York state.
“Segui waived his right to an extradition hearing and agreed to be returned to Connecticut without a formal extradition process,” the WPD summary said.
With a bond set at $1 million only to be paid in court, Segui is scheduled to appear at Stamford Superior Court on Thursday, July 31.
In addition to the fraud charges, Segui was also processed on two outstanding warrants for Failure to Appear in unrelated cases in Fairfield and Orange, leading to an additional $35,000 bond.
“The Wilton Police Department would like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service and all agencies involved for their assistance in advancing this case,” the WPD summary said.