On September 25th, 2025, Hollywood police were called to a TD Bank after employees reported something suspicious. A woman had come in trying to withdraw a large amount of money. The bank staff became concerned when they reviewed her account. Two checks adding up to $25,000 had recently been deposited into her account. The checks were written from an elderly woman's account. When officers looked closer, they learned the elderly account holder said she never authorized those checks. What's going on? I'm sorry, I lost my hearing aid. I wanted to do the this side. >> And where do you live? I can use these checks when I need it. Our mortgage is behind. I got a check cashed last week also. And this was the last one I had. Um, can you hold on a minute, please? And then, have you done a 53 to 19 before? What do you mean 10 19? Like a 53. Mhm. 1950? 19 no. This is so embarrassing I can't believe it. I'll stay. So I can call I want her to know If you can find You mean a 15? 10 15? Is that what you're doing something? Yeah, 1915 is >> No, it's 10 10 15. No, it's 1915. This is what people start. Oh, okay. Okay. The woman at the bank explained that the checks were given to her by her aunt. She said her aunt had health issues and had been in and out of the hospital. She also mentioned that she had already cashed another check the week before without a problem. Can I call my sister here? Uh, she's she's outside. She's home. Oh, no, she's not out of work till 1. Okay. She stays in touch with my aunt cuz my aunt is off the wall. And an alcoholic. And I have to bring her to the hospital so many times. This is going on for like She moved here just like 4 years. Your sister? No, my aunt. This is my aunt. She's only 2 years older than my sister. They're close. Got you. Right. How long you been in Hollywood? Me? Yeah. I had lived in Hallandale first for 20 years from New Jersey. Oh, nice support. What part of Jersey? Howell. Oh, nice. I was born in Newark. Oh, I see. Yeah. I'm turning 60. I'm so embarrassed that my aunt is nuts. That's why I don't talk to her. Yeah, yeah. First, we had to find her house, do everything. And then she gave us this when she's one way. How old How old is your aunt? She Let me see. My sister's 63, so she's 65. Oh, okay. We just got her social security check in line because she doesn't know what's going on. Got you. The woman had deposited one of the checks the day before at another branch. The next day, she came to this location asking to withdraw $16,000 in cash. When staff reviewed the account, they saw that the funds were not actually backed by available money. The account connected to the checks showed issues and that raised a red flag. That is when the bank contacted police. I'm totally embarrassed. What is going on? Am I going to get arrested here? Well, we're trying to figure out what's going on as well, so you know. So we're We're in that process right now, so just hang tight for a few, okay? So, those are the ones that went into And then these are original checks. These ones are original? Yes, so those are the ones. I verified with her what were the last checks that she actually said she Um, can you give me a favor, just stay off the phone for a little bit, okay? Hey, she just gave me the copies of the checks. I don't know if you want to come take a look at them. All right, well she just she just walked in now, so originals? Uh, ones from today. These are originals from the past and these are the ones from today. What's your name? Andrea. So you obviously know why we're here, right? Do I know why you're here? Yeah, do you know why we're here? 60104 cancel first 19. Why are we here? And that's very loud. You're here because they think I cashed checks. My aunt had given me these checks before and now she's saying she didn't, so I'm stuck here. So before I ask you some questions, I'm going to read some things to you, okay? The law requires that you be advised of these rights prior to answering any questions or making a statement. You have the right to remain silent. Do you understand that? Yes. Okay, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand that? Yes. Okay, you have the right to presence of an attorney before and during any questioning. Do you understand that? Yes. Okay. So What happened there? Can you explain? Um, so Miss Andrea came in um, she wanted to withdraw 16,000 in cash. We didn't have that um, available. So um, she said she wanted 5,000 and she'll get the rest in a cashier's check payable to Hold on to this. So where did the check Which account did it go into when she first deposited Was it her account? Yes, so yesterday yesterday she deposited Yeah, she's a client too. Okay, at this location she deposited that check? No, it was at the Sheridan location. >> Okay. So um, it was deposited yesterday. She came here today to withdraw it. Um, when we went to just verify because it's available next business day. So when I went to go verify, when I looked this account, I know I seen that it was negative that amount. So that prompted me to call and from that check? Yes, exactly. >> would did not have the actual funds to cover the check. No. >> And did she say So about She's saying she never authorized any She never authorized that. I called her, she said she knows who she is, that's her aunt, but she never she told me the last check that she >> check What was that check for? What was it for? What I was giving it to my brother-in-law for a mortgage payment. Okay. So >> gave them. So that's your sibling's spouse? That's the one she That's your sibling's spouse? That's the one that was deposited yesterday. Yeah, your sister's husband. I'm missing hearing aids and there's a lot of noise in this room. I'm sorry. Yes. The money and it was she was lending us and gave us as a gift. I was giving them to pay the mortgage. That one you didn't cash. And she Well, because when I talked And one minute she's yes, one minute she's no. She mostly talks to my sister. They're 2 years apart. I really don't talk to her because she's not well. When officers compared the signatures, they noticed something important. Every older check on the aunt's account had a consistent signature. The only ones that looked different were the two checks that had been deposited by her niece. Even the check numbers were out of order. That raised more concern. And then she's a little Where did your aunt live? Um, I just said Hallandale by the sea. >> Okay. So These are the two that you deposited at some point, right? >> One last week. Yes. >> I use both banks. I was on the phone all day yesterday. So Our concern is which is they're supposed to do their due diligence. >> Of course. I mean this signature is completely different than this one. She's done that before. But they don't have a record of her ever doing that. Like every check that they have from 520, 62, 730, 81, all of these signatures are consistent, but the only two that are not are Officers explained the situation plainly. Right now, she was in possession of fraudulent checks. One had already been deposited and partially withdrawn. The second one was stopped before the money could be taken out. You know, magically the ones that are being cashed by you. So then then they call her and she's saying she never authorized you. So you understand what predicament we're in? Of course. And I mean Technically, yeah, you're in possession of a fraudulent check. Well, you deposited that fraudulent check already and you're trying to use those funds from that fraudulent check. Question. This Was this withdrawn already, too? Yes. >> Yeah, you already cashed those funds. >> cashier's check was made to a Kevin >> For that first for that first one. And then this second one she was trying to Today. Can you They were given to me as a gift. Blank checks were given to you as a gift? Blank checks were given to you as a gift? They were blank? No, she had the amounts. And she wrote my name. But even the signature is not even consistent. I can see that. But even in the right order? No, not even. This is 127 and then she goes back to 109. This is What's your name? How old is she? 65. So she's an elderly person. Your Your aunt is a 65 years old? >> Yes. My sister's only 2 years older. They're closer. Okay, I'm going to call her to let her know that you're calling. Oh, yeah. Let me call her outside. She was in New Jersey. The house was put on the market around My older sister went and got her. The Hollywood Police Department are going to be calling you right now, okay? So just pick up the phone. You might get a a no number, but that's the Hollywood Police Department. Okay, so I can talk to her there. Hey, is she fine talking? Uh, would you like to talk to the Police Department on this phone? Um, is there any way we >> Okay, hold on one second. Yeah. As the investigation continued, officers informed her that she was being detained while they figured out what happened. That meant she was not free to leave. Depending on what they confirmed, she could face charges. Hello. I'm with the Hollywood Police Department. How are you? Yeah, we can go in this office over here. Yeah, she's still here. I'm here. You there? Yeah, we're just waiting. Just stay here? Yeah. Hang tight. I don't know whether she's going to press charges against me or not. We're trying to figure out all of it right now. I still got a I still don't really know part I really only parts of the story, so we just got to figure out what's going on. So we'll just hang tight here for a few minutes. Huh? We'll just hang tight here for a few minutes, okay? But do you want to talk to the detective? Do you want to speak to the detective? Do I want to speak to the detective? A detective. Do I need to? What You don't need to. I don't know. Well, you're being detained. Yes. Pending a possible arrest. Do you understand that? I I do now. Do you wish to speak with a detective? Okay. So, help me. This is what happened. Am I allowed to see my hands before you press any charges on me? Huh? Wow. It seems so. My bank account was negative, she said. I didn't know Did you hear that? Um I'm not too sure. During this time, it became clear that the aunt had reported the checks as unauthorized. The account linked to those checks was negative, and the funds were not backed by real money. With that information, officers made the decision to place her in handcuffs. All right, you can take your bag. Yeah, we need to search it. You can take your bag. Put your hands behind your back like you're praying. I will hold it. No, the car keys. Put your hands behind your back like you're like you're praying. >> [music] >> Excuse me. Like you're praying. Yep, there you go. You're going to take out the the car keys here. Well, for what? So, they're not responsible for your vehicle. >> to go and tell her. You're better off if you take your car. I can't leave it. Yeah, we're not going to leave your keys here. Okay, that's my car. Okay. All right. That's not enough. Yeah. I'm not going to do anything. What is this? Uh what car is it? It's the the Subaru, right? This this car? Okay, my truck's over here. All right, I thought it was that. Thank you. If this if I'll let you have one before we go. Well, they're in the car. Okay. She said it's it's the Subaru. Right there. All right, this way. This one? The the SUV, the truck right here. Just watch your step. On this side. Are the cuffs too tight? Are they Are they No, wait. How about I try this in my shoulder so it Okay, you want me to I could double I could do two cuffs for you. Hold on. All right, I'm going to take this bracelet off, okay? Is it a clasp? Huh? It's a It's a clasp, right? Yeah, there's two. No, that's not it. Up or down? Yeah, up or down? >> have folded it down. The other one's open. There you go. Yeah, now fold it. Press on it. All right. Vanessa, could you just do a pat down on her? All right, I'm just going to give you a pat down, okay? Everything goes in your purse? Everything in my purse, yeah. Okay. Okay, go ahead and have a seat. Have Yep. Can you get up? According to the final report, she was charged with grand theft from a person 65 years or older, exploitation of an elderly person, uttering a false instrument, and issuing a check with insufficient funds. If convicted on all charges, and if penalties were stacked, she could face up to 40 years in prison and up to $30,000 in fines. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. What do you think about this situation? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I'll see you in the next one.