Copiague Man Tried To Scam Elderly Man Of $8K: PD

COPIAGUE, NY — A Copiague man was arrested Wednesday after attempting to scam an 86-year-old Carle Place man out of $7,500, according to Nassau County police. Elvis Espinal-Duran, 30, called the man claiming to be a lawyer representing his grandson and told the man his grandson was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, police said.

Espinal-Duran then told the man that his grandson's actions resulted in a crash in Atlantic City, claiming a pregnant woman in the second car was injured and taken to the hospital, police said.

He then told the victim the judge would release his grandson if he sent $7,500 in cash, police said. He then directed the victim to go to the bank, withdraw the money, and call him back to arrange a location for the transaction, police said.

The man then contacted his son to discuss the situation. They reported the incident to the police and an investigation was launched. Espinal-Duran was charged with third-degree attempted grand larceny. He will be arraigned on Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead.