A 24-year-old man from the Bronx, Cristhian Ortega Rodriguez, was arrested on Friday for allegedly scamming an 83-year-old man on Long Island. Rodriguez is accused of calling the elderly victim, pretending to be his grandson in need of bail money.
According to Nassau County Police, Rodriguez told the victim that he had been arrested and instructed him to call a lawyer named “Larry Hays” to arrange for a cash bail payment. The victim later realized that the phone call was a scam and contacted the authorities.
Detectives, alerted to the fraud, apprehended Rodriguez as he attempted to pick up the payment. During the arrest, Rodriguez allegedly resisted and refused to comply with police commands.
Rodriguez has been charged with third-degree grand larceny and resisting arrest. He was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Saturday, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges. Although bail was requested by the prosecutor, Rodriguez was released with non-monetary conditions, including a temporary order of protection. He is due back in court on December 2.