On April 19, 2024, law enforcement agencies in the Daytona/Port Orange area received reports of fraudulent activities taking place within local banks. The Port Orange Police Department (POPD) was among those agencies, receiving two such reports.
During the investigation, officers obtained a vehicle tag number associated with the suspect vehicle and issued a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert. POPD Officers Meislahn and Sasso located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop at the Port Orange Post Office on 725 Dunlawton Avenue.
The Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene, leading to the arrest of three individuals:
- Christopher G. Orefice, 50, of Pembroke Pines, FL
- Darrel C. Fayson, 56, of Miami Gardens, FL
- Richard M. Anthony, 51, of North Miami, FL
The suspects were found in possession of over 20 fictitious driver’s licenses, each containing different victim information, along with several personal and business checks, and credit cards made in the victims’ names. Authorities also discovered ledgers and notes outlining their plans to target multiple area banks.
The suspects would deposit forged checks into victims’ bank accounts and subsequently withdraw sums ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. Approximately $24,000 in cash was seized from the suspects, believed to be proceeds from the fraudulent activities conducted between April 18th and April 19th.
Efforts to identify and contact the victims have commenced, with ongoing outreach to ensure all affected individuals are notified. Residents who suspect they may have been targeted in this operation are encouraged to reach out to the Port Orange Police Department.
It was revealed that all victims in this case are believed to be from the South Florida area, having traveled to Daytona/Port Orange solely to perpetrate the fraudulent scheme.
All three individuals were booked into the Volusia County Jail on charges related to fraud, including possession of fictitious driver’s licenses, uttering forged instruments, using public record information to commit a felony, and possession of personal identification information. Additionally, various narcotics charges were filed against them.
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