FRAUDULENT CHECK ARRESTS

DATE/TIME: 2/21/08 0835 a.m.
LOCATION: Sovereign Bank West Park Ave, Ocean, NJ
OFFICERS INVOLVED: PO Daniel Weber, Detectives Patrick Martin and Paul Flammia
ACCUSED: Jamie Castaldo, age 24, Toms River, NJ
Michael Brodie, age 20, Neptune, NJ

NARRATIVE:
     On 2/21/08, the Township of Ocean Police responded to the Sovereign Bank on West Park Avenue in reference to a female attempting to cash a fraudulent check. The female was in a vehicle occupied by a male and was at the drive thru teller. PO Daniel Weber responded. Upon arrival it was learned that Jamie Castaldo had attempted to withdraw $1,900.00 from an account that did not have sufficient funds. It was learned that on 2/19/08, Ms. Castaldo had opened an account at the Sovereign Bank in Asbury Park by depositing a $3,800.00 personal check that was written on an account from another bank. That other account did not have sufficient funds. Bank officials became suspicious and learned that the $3,800.00 check was bad. They then contacted the Township of Ocean Police. Further investigation with the assistance of Detective Paul Flammia and Detective Patrick Martin revealed that a second male subject, Michael Brodie was also involved in this scam.
     Both subjects were charged with Theft By Deception and Criminal Attempt (Bad Checks). Michael Brodie was found to have a $15,000.00 Contempt of Court by Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department. He was charged additionally with hindering his own apprehension when he provided police with a false name when originally stopped.
     Ms. Castaldo was released from custody on a complaint warrant pending court action. Mr. Brodie was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institute on $65,000.00 bail ($50,000.00 from Ocean Township and $15,000.00 from Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department).