Three members of NYC fraud enterprise arrested in Herkimer

Planned to attempt frauds from NYC to Buffalo

HERKIMER, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Three people were arrested in Herkimer on Monday, May 20 after attempting to make a withdrawal with a forged driver’s license, according to Herkimer Police.

Officers were called to the Woodforest Bank at the Wal-Mart in the village of Herkimer at approximately 6 PM on Monday for a call of a woman allegedly attempting to make a withdrawal with a forged driver’s license. The woman — later identified as 49-year-old Kelly Arrigo of Brooklyn — was taken into custody.

Two males Arrigo was allegedly traveling with — Jason and Jordan Arzu, both 24 years old of the Bronx — were located in the area of their vehicle, near the Arc Goods Store a short distance from the Wal-Mart. They were taken into custody shortly after.

Police later learned that all three suspects had made a stop in Herkimer on their way to Buffalo. Further investigation found that the suspects were allegedly planning to attempt frauds at banking institutions from New York City to Buffalo.

As the investigation progressed, police found that the three suspects were allegedly members of a criminal enterprise that committed fraud with stolen identities from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

It was also learned during the investigation that Arrigo had an extensive criminal history in that area. Further investigation found that Jason Arzu had an open forgery and identity theft case in Pennsylvania and was out on bail, and Jordan Arzu had an open weapons case in New York City.

All three individuals have been charged with:

• second-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, a Class D Felony,
• fourth-degree Attempted Grand Larceny, a Class A Misdemeanor, and
• fifth-degree Conspiracy, a Class A Misdemeanor.

All three suspects were remanded to the Herkimer County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash bail and $20,000 bond. According to Herkimer Police, additional charges are pending.