Police Catch Wells Fargo Fake ID Suspect: Report

WAUWATOSA, WI — Police in Wauwatosa say they've arrested a man who tried using stolen ID cards to make bank withdrawals at Wells Fargo locations in Milwaukee, Shorewood and Menomonee Falls.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, John L. Hammonds, 31, of Brooklyn faces three felony charges.

Authorities say they were tipped off to Hammonds' activities following his visit to the Wells Fargo at 2675 N. Mayfair Road on May 10. Bank employees told Wauwatosa police that Hammonds tried using a fake ID to withdraw money from someone else's bank account.

While police were investigating the case at Wells Fargo, they learned that the same suspect tried using fake IDs at locations in Shorewood and Menomonee Falls, according to the criminal complaint.

Hammonds was arrested a short time later, and according to the criminal complaint, said he obtained all the information and fake ID from the dark web, and that he did not know either person. He told police that he went to area banks to obtain money for his six children.

According to the criminal complaint, Hammonds had booked a flight to Minnesota for his next stop. Court records posted online say that Hammonds posted his $10,000 cash bond and is scheduled to appear before the Milwaukee County Circuit Court on May 31 after records indicated that he failed to appear for his May 24 hearing.