Pair Tried To Pull iPhone Purchase Scam, Greenwich Cops Say

GREENWICH, CT — A pair of New York men were arrested by Greenwich police on Dec. 7 after they allegedly tried to buy an iPhone X - valued at $999 - through fraudulent means from the Verizon Wireless store on Greenwich Avenue, according to Greenwich Police Lt. John Slusarz.

The incident occurred at about 4:15 p.m. when police were notified that a man, later identified as Alberto Emilio Lopez-Abreu, 18, of New York City, was trying to buy the iPhone "by utilizing personal identifying information" of someone else who had a Verizon account, Slusarz said.

Lopez-Abreu and an alleged accomplice, Jacob R. Guttierrez, 20, also of New York City, were apprehended by police in their vehicle parked near the store.

While speaking with the two suspects, officers learned that they allegedly traveled to Greenwich to commit the crime. During the interviews, officers also found a small amount of what appeared to be marijuana in Guttierrez's possession, said Slusarz.

Lopez-Abreu was charged with identity theft, criminal attempt at larceny and conspiracy, while Guttierrez was conspiracy to commit larceny and identity theft in addition to possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than half-an-ounce of cannabis.

Both suspects were held in lieu of bail of $2,500 each and are scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Dec. 21.

Photo 1: Alberto Emilio Lopez-Abreu; Photo 2: Jacob R. Guttierrez. Photo credit: Greenwich Police Department

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