Suspect Accused Of Forgery, Identity Theft In $6,000 Scam In Westport

WESTPORT, CT — A 27-year-old Bridgeport man was arrested by Westport police Tuesday on a warrant in connection with a check fraud case worth nearly $6,000, according to authorities.

Mahendra Sookhu was arrested at Stamford Superior Court, where he was appearing on an unrelated case, and was charged with:

• Third-degree larceny
• Third-degree forgery
• Second-degree identity theft

Westport police said the incident began in October 2022, when the department was contacted about the discovery of suspicious activity on a checking account.

"The complainant reported that an unknown suspect had fraudulently written a check out to 'Mahendra Sookhu Jr' for $5,972.00 and deposited it into an account," said Lt. Eric Woods in a statement. "Through the use of search warrants and bank video surveillance, Mahendra Sookhu was identified as the suspect who allegedly negotiated and deposited the check."

Sookhu is being held in lieu of bail of $20,000, and is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Sept. 4.