Town of Niagara — There were smiles all around for a trio of state troopers Tuesday.
Senior Investigator Joseph Commisso and Investigator Alan Harshany from the Seneca Niagara Casino and Trooper Joseph Raimondi from the State Police Niagara Barracks in the Town of Niagara were honored for their work with the U.S. Secret Service in helping break up a large scale identity theft ring.
“Normally, when we meet with the press it’s to talk about something tragic or horrific or negative on the community,” State Police Capt. Craig Hanesworth said. “But today this is about really good police work.”
Commisso, Harshany and Raimondi assisted the Secret Service in investigating a ring of identity thieves operating in and around the Seneca Niagara and Seneca Allegany casinos. Investigators said hundreds of people, but none from the Niagara region, were victimized by the ring.
“(The troopers work) showed the great effort between the Secret Service and the state police and how law enforcement partners work together,” Hanesworth said.
Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo office of the Secret Service Tracy Gast said the probe began with complaints to state police casino detail investigators from consumers who noticed unusual charges on their credit and debit card statements.
“There were charges originating from the casino and none of these people, who are from out of state, had ever been to these casinos,” Gast said.
Gast said, so far, investigators believe more then $250,000 was ripped-off by the ring that appears to have been operating out of the New York City area. Eight Chinese nationals have been arrested and charged and investigators said they still are finding more victims.
The Secret Service chief said the ring may have operated out of other casinos in New York and around the United States. Gast said additional arrests could be made.
“This goes to show the great working relationship between law enforcement in Western New York,” he said. “You get these cases and it’s amazing the (amount of evidence) you have to process.”
Hanesworth said that makes police agency cooperation critical in crime solving.
“It can’t be done by one department or one agency,” the state police captain said. “If we’re going to get crime solved, we have to work together.”
Local News
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HONOREES: The U.S. Secret Service recognized three New York State Police members for their outstanding performance during an identity theft investigation that led to the arrest of eight Chinese nationals. Tracy Gast of the Secret Service presented Senior Investigator Joseph Commisso and Investigator Alan Harshany, both assigned to the Seneca Niagara Casino, with a plaque and Trooper Joseph Raimondi, assigned to the Niagara barracks, with a letter of recognition. From left are, Commisso, Harshany, Raimondi, Gast and state police Capt. Craig S. Hanesworth. James Neiss/News
Trio of troopers honored
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