Two San Juan men charged with fraud using forged documents in Arecibo
Onell A. Ruiz Medina and Rolando Cotto Vega face charges for acquiring heavy equipment valued at $40,267 using a forged card and identification.
Charges for fraud and aggravated theft following purchase with forged documents in Arecibo
Two San Juan residents face criminal charges of fraud, aggravated theft and transportation of stolen goods following their alleged use of a forged card and identification to acquire heavy equipment valued at $40,267 in Arecibo, according to metro.pr.
The defendants were identified as Onell A. Ruiz Medina, 44 years old, and Rolando Cotto Vega, 19 years old. Police and Department of Justice agents filed charges on Saturday in Arecibo Court.
According to the investigation, the incident occurred on 11 September 2026, when both allegedly made the purchase using forged documents. They subsequently attempted to sell part of the equipment through social media.
Agent Osvaldo Acevedo Soto, of the R.E.P.A.D. Division in the Arecibo area, managed to contact the defendants, who led him to a location in San Juan where part of the goods were found. The operation resulted in the arrest of Ruiz Medina and Cotto Vega.
The case was referred to prosecutor Lucianne M. Sánchez Serrano, who filed the corresponding charges. The evidence was presented to judge Mirna Soliván Plau of Arecibo Court, who determined probable cause for arrest and set bail at $45,000 for each defendant. As they were unable to post bail, both were remanded to Bayamón jail. The preliminary hearing was scheduled for 13 October 2026.
According to police, the investigation suggests that the defendants would be part of an organisation dedicated to committing fraud through forged bank cards and identifications. The scheme involves contacting merchants, conducting transactions with forged documents that are initially approved, but which banking institutions subsequently reject, resulting in the appropriation of the goods.
The investigation was led by agent Acevedo Soto, under the supervision of lieutenant Rose Mary Rosado Pérez, with collaboration from the Intelligence Division of the San Juan area, headed by inspector José "Joey" Fontánez.
Source: Google News PR — Crime