CAERNARVON TWP, PA — Two men are facing charges after police reported a fraud attempt at a bank in Berks County earlier this month.
According to the Caernarvon Township Police Department, officers responded on Wednesday, April 8, to a report of a fraud in progress at Ephrata National Bank in the 6200 block of Morgantown Road.
Police said officers detained two individuals identified as 39-year-old Jonathan Bradley and 43-year-old Robert Jones, who were allegedly attempting to cash fraudulent checks.
According to investigators, the checks were determined to be forged and were not authorized by a local business identified as the victim. Police reported that both individuals gave conflicting accounts, stating they had received the checks as payment for landscaping work.
Further investigation suggested the men may be connected to a broader fraudulent check scheme in which individuals are allegedly recruited to pass forged checks in exchange for a portion of the proceeds, according to police.
Authorities said Bradley has been charged with forgery, theft, access device fraud, and related offenses. Jones has been charged with forgery, access device fraud, theft by deception, and theft.
Both individuals were taken into custody on April 8, police reported.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News.