Suffolk County police arrested a Holtsville man for allegedly stealing a man’s identity to open a bank account and rent cars.
Police were contacted on May 6 by a Bay Shore man who reported a bank account had been opened, and vehicles had been rented in his name without his authorization. The victim had previously lost his wallet.
Following an investigation by the Financial Crimes Unit, detectives determined Justin Kopperl allegedly used the victim’s personal information to open a bank account and deposit counterfeit checks into it. Detectives found Kopperl, in addition to using the account to deposit counterfeit checks, allegedly used the bank account to transfer money via Cash App. The account was also allegedly used to obtain a rental car. As a result, the account showed a negative balance of $5,000.
Kopperl, 28, was charged with Identity Theft in the First Degree, Identity Theft in the Second Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree.
He will be held overnight at the Sixth Precinct, and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on July 21.
If you believe you have been a victim of Kopperl, call Financial Crimes Unit detectives at 631-852- 6821.