NEW HYDE PARK, NY – In an incident that took place on Friday, February 9, 2024, Nassau County Third Squad Police arrested a man they say does not have a permanent residence and is considered undomiciled. The individual was apprehended in North New Hyde Park for his involvement in a case that occurred earlier in the week.
It all started when a 60-year-old male victim discovered unauthorized withdrawals from his Bethpage Federal Credit Union account on Monday, February 5, 2024. Concerned about the situation, he promptly contacted the bank to report the issue. The bank wasted no time in taking action and flagged the victim’s account.
According to police, on the day of the incident, defendant Phillippe Berkowitz, 61, walked into the Bethpage Federal Credit Union branch located at 2055 Hillside Avenue. Using a fraudulent ID, he attempted to withdraw funds from the victim’s account. However, the sharp-eyed bank teller immediately notified the authorities, leading to Berkowitz’s swift arrest, which was carried out without any complications.
Berkowitz now faces a series of charges, including two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, two counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree, Attempted Identity Theft, and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument. His arraignment took place on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at First District Court, located at 99 Main Street in Hempstead.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant when it comes to protecting our financial accounts and personal information. It is crucial to monitor bank statements regularly, report any suspicious activity immediately, and cooperate with law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice.
