Gang Of Alleged Counterfeiters Caught Trying To Scam Greenwich Bank: Police

GREENWICH, CT — A gang of suspected out-of-state counterfeiters was arrested by Greenwich police Tuesday afternoon after the group tried to scam the Chase Bank on Greenwich Avenue.

Police were called to the bank at about 2:45 p.m. on a report of multiple people attempting to pass fraudulent checks, but the suspects fled the bank in two cars just before police arrived.

Descriptions of the vehicles were given to police, and the gang was pulled over a short distance away.

Arrested were Janine Gomez, 26, of Manhattan, NY; Juan J. Martin, 29, of New York, NY; Robert Morales, 43, of Englewood, NJ; Robert Morales Jr., 23, of the Bronx, NY; and Vamara S. Traore, 24, also of the Bronx.

All were charged with various larceny, forgery and conspiracy violations, and Gomez was additionally found to be in possession of 31 counterfeit $100 bills and two fake Florida driver's licenses, according to police. Martin was in possession of a fraudulent check, and Morales Jr. was in possession of a fake driver's license.

Traore was found to be in possession of 2.5 grams of suspected marijuana, and was additionally charged with that offense.

Morales, Morales Jr. and Traore were all released after each posted $5,000 bonds, while Martin was released on a promise to appear in court. Gomez was held in lieu of a $50,000 bond; all five are scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on July 5.

Photo: From left, Janine Gomez; Juan J. Martin; Robert Morales Jr.; Robert Morales; and Vamara S. Traore. Photo credit: Greenwich Police Department