Police: Port Chester Banks Team Up to Stop Check Fraud

Memo to thieves: Banks do talk to each other.

Port Chester police say a Bronx woman was arrested on Tuesday afternoon when she tried to cash a fraudulent $790 check at a bank branch in Port Chester. The bank staff, police said, knew to be on the lookout for her because she tried to cash the check earlier in the day at another branch of the same bank in Port Chester.

Lt. James Ladeairous said the staff at the branch on Midland Avenue warned the staff at the in time for the arrival of Mercedes Basabe, 31, of 175 Alexander Ave., the Bronx, at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Ladeairous said Basabe is accused of trying to cash a check written on an account that had been frozen because of previous fraud. As Basabe tried to cash the check, Ladeairous said the staff at the Westchester Avenue Chase branch contacted police — who arrived in time to stop Basade as she was trying to leave the bank.

"She said she went to the bank to cash the check for a friend who was sitting in a car in the parking lot," Ladeairous said. "But there was no one out there."

Basabe was charged with petty larceny and fourth-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. She faces a hearing in Port Chester Village Court.

Police are uncertain why Basabe tried to cash the check in Port Chester.