NY Man Accused Of Stealing $25,000 Worth Of Checks From Westport Victims: Police

WESTPORT, CT — A 34-year-old Brooklyn, New York man was arrested this week on a warrant charging him larceny, forgery and identity theft in connection with two stolen check cases from April 2025, according to Westport police.

Howard Patterson was extradited back to Westport on Wednesday from the Rikers Island Correctional Facility in New York and was charged with the following:

• Criminal Attempt to Commit Larceny, First Degree
• Illegal Possession of a Personal Identification Information Device
• Identity Theft, Third Degree (2 Counts)
• Forgery, First Degree (2 Counts)
• Larceny, Fifth Degree

The first case began on April 17, 2025, when a person reported to Westport police that they had been a victim of bank fraud.

"It was reported that a check for $24,000.00 that was made payable to the Internal Revenue Service was intercepted from the mail," wrote Lt. Anthony Prezioso in a statement. "It was further reported that an unknown party attempted to cash it."

Later that same month, a local business reported that a check made payable to a vendor had been intercepted from the mail and deposited by an unknown individual.

"This check was payable in the amount of $834.90," Prezioso said.

Patterson was developed as a suspect in both cases, after Westport police obtained bank records, surveillance footage and other information.

"It is alleged that Patterson altered and subsequently attempted to deposit one check as well as successfully deposited the other check into his personal bank account," Prezioso said.

Patterson was released after posting bond on bail of $100,000, and he is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on May 4.