Utica Man Arrested Following Fraud Investigation

A Utica man has been arrested following two separate fraud investigations by New Hartford Police.

24-year old Kristopher Torchia is facing 22 charges, including attempted grand larceny, burglary, identity theft and criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Torchia is accused of using a stolen debit card to make multiple fraudulent ATM withdrawals during the month of July.

Police say Torchia also broke into a home in New Hartford and stole a personal bank check and motor vehicle that belonged to the homeowner.  He then allegedly drove the vehicle to a local bank, where the tried to cash the stolen check.

After being denied the funds at the bank, police say Torchia returned to the victim's residence where he again went inside the home. They say Torchia used the victim's home telephone to make a phone call to the bank where he had just came from.

While on the telephone with the bank Torchia allegedly impersonated the homeowner in an attempt to provide authorization to the bank to release the requested funds.

After completing the call with the bank Torchia then stole the victim's house telephone and returned to, and entered the bank but immediately fled the area when he observed the bank manager on the telephone.

Torchia is being held in the Oneida County jail without bail.

Utica Police assisted New Hartford Police in their investigation.