Police: Distinctive Neck Scar Helped Bank Clerk ID Forger

A Bronx man's distinctive neck scar helped an alert clerk recognize him from a previous forgery as he tried to withdraw more than $3,000 from a local bank Monday, Port Chester police said.

David Valerio walked into TD Bank at 4:10 p.m. Monday and presented the teller with a withdrawal slip and a New Jersey driver's license bearing his photo. Recognizing Valerio's scam -- and his features -- from an internal company warning after a similar incident at the bank's Rye branch, the teller tried to buy some time, Lt. James Ladeairous said.

"She said, 'I have to talk to my manager,' and he realized something was up," Ladeairous said.

Employees at the 250 Boston Post Road bank called police, and Valerio fled the bank. A responding officer spotted Valerio and yelled at him to stop, but the 23-year-old bolted. Police caught up to him behind the nearby Bally gym.

Valerio's New Jersey license was forged, with another person's name below his photo, and $3,300 was written out on the completed withdrawal slip.

Valerio, of 2317 Loring Place in the Bronx, was charged with felony third-degree grand larceny and felony criminal possession of a forged instrument, as well as misdemeanor criminal impersonation. He was sent to Westchester County Jail without bail, and he's due back in court this morning.