A Holtsville man was arrested Monday after Suffolk County police said he used personal information from a lost wallet to open a bank account, deposit counterfeit checks, transfer money and obtain a rental car.
Justin Kopperl, 28, was arrested July 20 following an investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit. The account connected to the alleged identity theft was left with a negative balance of $5,000, police said.
The investigation began May 6 when a Bay Shore man contacted police and reported that someone had opened a bank account and rented vehicles using his identity without permission. Police said the victim had previously lost his wallet.
Detectives determined that Kopperl allegedly used the victim’s personal information to create the bank account and deposit counterfeit checks.
Investigators said the account was also used to transfer money through Cash App and obtain a rental car. Police did not disclose the amount of the counterfeit checks or Cash App transfers.
Kopperl was charged with first-degree identity theft, second-degree identity theft and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.
He was scheduled to be held overnight at the Suffolk County Police Department’s Sixth Precinct before his arraignment Tuesday, July 21, at First District Court in Central Islip.
Financial Crimes Unit detectives are asking anyone who believes they may also have been victimized by Kopperl to call 631-852-6821.
The charges are accusations. Kopperl is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Photo: SCPD
