Man Accused Of Stealing, Altering $53K Check From Norwalk: Police

NORWALK, CT — A New York City man is accused of stealing and altering a $53,000 check intended for the Internal Revenue Service, the Norwalk Police Department announced Monday.

In a news release, Police Lt. Ramon Tejada said Norwalk detectives initiated an investigation in January after receiving reports from people who said a check they mailed had been stolen and the payee information had been altered.

During the investigation, detectives determined a $53,401 check intended for the IRS had been intercepted, fraudulently altered and deposited into the suspect's bank account, Tejada said.

According to Tejada, detectives executed search warrants and worked with multiple financial institutions to obtain records and identify the person responsible.

After further investigation, police identified Ashton Artis, 19, of Arverne, N.Y., as a suspect, according to Tejada.

New York City police officers arrested Artis on July 20 and transported him to Rikers Island Correctional Facility, Tejada said.

On Monday, detectives traveled to Rikers Island Correctional Facility and extradited Artis to police headquarters in Norwalk, according to Tejada.

Artis was charged with first-degree larceny and third-degree forgery.

His bond was set at $50,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court later this month, according to Tejada.