On Jan. 16, at around 1:30 p.m., Wiscasset Police Department responded to First National Bank in Wiscasset regarding attempted fraud. A male suspect impersonated a customer using the customer's information on a fraudulent military identification card. They attempted to withdraw $6,700 from the victim’s account.

The suspect failed to answer security questions and left the bank on foot. He was described as wearing a white leather jacket, using a cane, and having an earpiece, all of which are tactics consistent with organized imposter fraud schemes.

The same suspect had allegedly attempted an identical transaction at a bank in Boothbay Harbor about 30 minutes earlier using the same victim’s account information.

A security photo was shared with law enforcement in the region. Shortly afterward, the suspect was observed entering a black SUV near a bank in Brunswick. Brunswick Police stopped the vehicle and identified the occupants as George Mendez, 66, Miguel Molinar, 35, and Leigh A. Jackson, 34, all from Brooklyn, New York. They were each found to possess fraudulent identification, including fictitious passports, military identification cards, and state-issued licenses. They also had notes with sensitive customer information that was in the vehicle, leading investigators to believe there may be other victims.

They are each charged with Class C Theft by Deception, Misuse of Identification and Criminal Conspiracy; they are being held on $10,000 cash bail at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. 

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Wiscasset Police, Boothbay Harbor Police, Brunswick Police and Freeport Police. This is an example of how Midcoast law enforcement and financial institutions are working together to quickly bring resolutions to these types of investigations.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Jared Mitkus at 207-882-7332 or jmitkus@lincolnso.me

People can also provide information regarding this event via our tip411 line anonymously by texting the keyword LTIP and your tip to 847411.