Woman Accused Of Larceny After Cashing Fraudulent Checks: Westport PD

WESTPORT, CT — A 35-year-old Bridgeport woman was arrested on first-degree larceny and first-degree forgery charges last week after Westport police said she cashed checks she fraudulently obtained from a Westport victim.

Makeba Johnson was arrested on May 19, and also was charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, and conspiracy to commit first-degree forgery.

According to police, the case began in June 2021.

"The complainant stated that multiple fraudulent checks were written against a bank account that he oversees as a conservator," police wrote in a statement. "The complainant confirmed that he never wrote out any of the checks in question, and he did not recognize the name of the payee."

Police said that it is believed that the suspect "as well as accomplices were depositing the fraudulent checks into a bank account and then the funds were being withdrawn from that account with a debit card."

That the debit card, police learned, was used to register a business with
the state of Connecticut.

"The managing member of the company that was registered was listed as Makeba Johnson. Additional evidence tying Ms. Johnson to this crime was obtained," police said.

How much Johnson is accused of taking was not disclosed, but first-degree larceny in Connecticut is theft of $20,000 or more.

Police obtained a warrant for Johnson's arrest, and she turned herself in at police headquarters.

Johnson was released after posting bond on bail of $150,000, and she is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on June 2.