Westport Police Make Two Separate Larceny Arrests

WESTPORT (WBSM) — Westport Police made two arrests for larceny over Labor Day weekend in separate incidents.

First, on August 30, Westport detectives wrapped up a two-month-long investigation into Timothy Croke of Westport for allegedly passing bad checks.

According to police, Croke allegedly began passing fraudulent checks at the Santander bank in Westport in June of this year. They said he created a fraudulent check with his name and address on it and made the check out for $9,500.

“The money was withdrawn from the victim’s bank account and presented as cash to Mr. Croke,” police said. “Westport detectives were able to obtain a copy of the fraudulent check from the victim.”

Croke then allegedly attempted to pass a second fraudulent check, made out to himself, in the amount of $25,500. However, the bank had placed a fraud alert on his account and the money was not transferred to him. Police said his interactions with the bank in contesting the failed transfer were captured on surveillance video and provided to detectives.

Croke was charged with two counts of larceny over $1,200, two counts of uttering a false check, two counts of forgery and one count of larceny over $1,200 by single scheme.

Then on August 31, Westport Police responded to a report of a stolen skid steer. They said Robert DeMello of Westport was found by officers driving the skid steer south on Sanford Road.

“Upon speaking with Mr. DeMello, it was determined he had stolen the skid steer along with other items he had sold for scrap,” police said.

DeMello was arrested and is charged with one count of larceny over $1,200.