A man has been arrested and charged in connection with an attempted fraud incident at TD Bank in Montgomeryville.
Ralph Beegan, 64, has been charged with forgery, identity theft, counterfeit access device, theft by deception and possession of an instrument of crime with intent.
Montgomery Township Police responded to TD Bank at 918 Bethlehem Pike on Tuesday, July 25 at 1:40 p.m. for a report of identity fraud. TD Bank’s assistant manager reportedly told police that 10 minutes prior to their arrival, Beegan allegedly attempted to obtain a new debit card using a different customer's name, and provided the assistant manager with a fake New York driver’s license displaying the other information with his own photograph, according to the complaint.
When police spoke to Beegan, he introduced himself by yet another name, which did not match the New York driver’s license, according to the complaint.
The assistant manager told police they recognized the photo from a previous fraud incident in June at TD Bank’s Blue Bell location, according to the report. She reportedly asked Beegan security questions on the account, which he could not answer. She then called the owner of the account, and he said he was out of the country and did not request a new debit card, according to the report.
Police searched Beegan and discovered heavy-duty magnets, which are known tools to aid in theft, police said, and after processing Beegan’s fingerprints correctly identified him.
Beegan, whom the charging documents identify as homeless, was released on $5,000 unsecured bail. His next court appearance is a preliminary hearing Aug. 8 at 10:30 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Christopher J. Cerski.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using police reports, court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
