On April 20th, 2023, at about 2:00pm, New Rochelle Detectives arrested a suspect for Grand Larceny in what has been come to be known as a ‘Grandparent Scam,’ a nationwide trend where scammers call unsuspecting victims pretending to be a grandchild or friend of the family in distress and in need of bail money.

In this incident a New Rochelle resident received a call from someone purporting to be a friend who was in jail and in need of bail money. They received a second call from someone saying they were from the ‘Public Defender’s Office,’ and that the bail money needed was over $15000. The residents contacted New Rochelle Detectives to investigate. The suspect called again to set up a time to meet the victims to receive the money. When the suspect arrived, he was met by New Rochelle Detectives instead, who placed him under arrest.

These “Grandparent Scams” are a trend nationwide, and the New Rochelle Police Department encourages anyone who receives such a call to contact their local police department and report these incidents.

ARRESTED:

Roger Mena-Carrion, 28 years of age, of the Bronx, NY.

CHARGES:

NYS Penal Law Section 155.35 Grand Larceny 3rd Degree – D Felony