Suffolk County Police arrested a Bronx man accused of carrying out a check washing scheme that stole more than $20,000 from two Suffolk County residents.
Police said John Dematteo allegedly stole checks while they were in transit through the United States Postal Service and altered the payment information before cashing them.
According to investigators, Dematteo washed and changed information on 14 checks beginning in August 2025.
An 86-year-old Bay Shore woman had 12 checks altered, resulting in a loss of $17,315. A 73-year-old Patchogue woman had two checks washed for a loss of $3,414.
Following an investigation by Suffolk County Police Financial Crimes Unit detectives, Dematteo, 58, was charged with two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and two counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree.
Dematteo is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Central Islip.
The United States Postal Inspection Service has been notified about the investigation.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have been victimized by Dematteo or who has additional information about the scam to contact the Suffolk County Police Financial Crimes Unit at 631-852-6821.
Authorities noted that a criminal charge is an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Photo: SCPD.
