Saddle Brook Man Said He Was Army Vet To Get Money: Police

SADDLE BROOK, NJ — A man living in a borough hotel who pretended to be a veteran to get financial help was arrested Tuesday, police said.

Baustista J. Bonet, 60, was arrested after an investigation by Cresskill police. He was charged with identity theft, impersonation and theft by deception, Detectives Charles Franke said.

The investigation began after the commander of the Cresskill American Legion Post 101 informed police of a fraud last month, Franke said.

Police learned through their investigation that Bonet went to the American Legion asking for financial help, saying he was Sgt. Bob Bonet a retired 20-year Army veteran, Franke said.

Bonet said he was having trouble with a house he bought in Cresskill, but was living in a hotel that he could not afford to stay at another night, police said.

The post commander met with Bonet and gave him money to pay for the hotel room and for food, Franke said.

The commander contacted the Bergen County Division of Veterans Services about Bonet, who said he had visited that office as well, Franke said. County veterans officials looked into Bonet's military status.

Veterans Services contacted Franke after they determined Bonet was court martialed and dishonorably discharged from the Army as a private in 1977, Franke said.

Veterans Services contacted veteran organizations throughout Bergen and Passaic counties, many of whom reported that Bonet had already approached them for assistance, Franke said.

Bonet was arrested in Saddle Brook Tuesday and remanded to the Bergen County Jail. His first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, police said.

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Photo: Bautista Bonet, 60/Cresskill Police Department