A 20-year-old Greenwich man is accused of pretending to be a veteran in need to swindle money.
For more than a year, Jesus Garcia falsely told his friends, family and others that he was an Army Ranger who was wounded in combat and served four tours in Afghanistan, Greenwich police said.
Garcia was not wounded in combat. He was never even a member of the U.S. Army, military officials told the Greenwich police.
Garcia split his living arrangements between houses in Hopewell Junction, New York and Greenwich, police said. When he moved from one house to the other, he would explain his absence as military-related, police said.
The alleged fraud came to light on May 27, when Garcia met with Greenwich Police Captain James Heavey because he was supposed to speak at a Memorial Day ceremony.
During the conversation, Cpt. Heavey realized that something was not right, Greenwich police said. Heavey suspected that Garcia’s claims were not true and then learned that he had given a fake name and date of birth.
Police charged Garcia with interfering with an officer later that date. As police continued to investigate, they found two victims Garcia had taken thousands of dollars from, police said. Greenwich police would like to here from any other potential victims.
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There were other instances when Garcia posed publicly in a uniform and pretended to be a soldier, police said.
Garcia was charged with false representation of armed force uniform, fraudulent use of military insignia and fifth and sixth-degree larceny.
Garcia posted a $2,500 bond and was released. He is due in court on June 24.
