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On Thursday, June 5th, 2025, deputies were dispatched after receiving reports of an individual in possession of a forged instrument. >> Are you the black Tesla out front? Are you guys Is that your ride? >> Yeah. >> That's your ride? >> Yeah. >> 5694 is your ride? >> All right. So, what's going on today? You guys are trying to purchase something? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, what did you guys try to purchase? >> What? We wanted to purchase something. >> Okay. So, what did you guys try to talk to with the contract? >> I guess there's a problem with the check. It's So, I'm just going to be very straight up and honestly honesty goes a long way. The check's bad. So, what's the deal with the with checks and going on and stuff like that? >> What do you mean? >> The checks The checks you used to purchase said vehicle are bad. And there's another check brought in that is also bad. You have the check? >> Yeah, they come from my account. >> Okay. Can I see the check? >> Do you have the check? >> Do you have And it's in the First Horizon. So, who is What is First Horizon to you guys? [music] >> Right here. >> And who's the account holder for it? >> Joseph Ortiz is the account holder for that account. >> That's you? >> Yeah. >> Let me see your ID, please. So, in order to sign paperwork, you're going to need some type of ID. >> We had already signed the We We already got this thing done. >> The bank already >> 569 >> No, it's already done. Like we We're only trying to collect another payment. >> Everything that's been done, do you have all the papers and stuff? >> Yeah, I do. >> Ma'am, what Is your name Irene? >> Irene? >> Yeah. Is that your name? No. Regarding everything, okay. So, they I get it. [snorts] So, they From my Correct me if I'm wrong, but my conversation basically everything everything went through, but now it's just waiting on This is like a down payment for the complete payment of the car. >> Yeah, so the initial down payment, which is $9,500, they've given us already two bad checks. >> Okay. >> I've even >> Do you have a statement Do you have any Do you have a statement from where the money was involved around the account? Totally done. We're not going to ask any questions. Just let me write it down. >> Okay. >> They They've already wrote me two bad checks and now they brought me a third check which we can't verify as well. So, all these checks I called their lender today to see if they can verify that check. She says they have no indication of that check that it's it's it's basically fraudulent. >> Okay. >> So, we also ran her records of course and we noticed that she had a prior record of this type of stuff. >> Also, so this is over the >> the down payment of the actual >> Yeah, so the actual contract itself, I mean everything is it's a fundable contract. I mean we have a real approval with the bank. >> It's It's not a consistent down payment. >> The whole initial down payment in order for the make the deal to be complete for us. >> $9,500 >> which we've already tried them to get multiple I said, "Can you just bring me cash?" He said, "I can't do that. It's got to be a cashier's check." I said, "A cashier's check is cash. Just go to your bank and pull the money out." He says, "Oh, they won't let me do that. I'd have to wait 24 hours." >> And this is all within today? >> Today. >> Okay, yeah, within within Okay. All right, we're going to we're going to speak to you guys individually. So, if one of you guys want to come with me, I'll speak to you guys individually. The reason why we're here is because there's a a deal with going on with the car from my knowledge, okay? And then with said knowledge of the vehicle, there was you know, for a down payment of $9,500 um I guess two checks were brought in and they weren't good and then another check was brought in and then contact which again didn't wasn't good either. They contacted the lender and the lender has no record of that check ever being cashed or being created, any knowledge of it whatsoever. So, that's all we we have we have an issue here when it comes to the checks. So, what's what's going on with the checks? >> Okay. >> So, we've been trying to buy this car for probably about a month and a half, right? >> Okay. >> Three weeks after they got They were trying to get approval three weeks after they called me like, "Hey, you know, we're good to go. You guys can come and you know, you'll have you'll have to deal whatever you guys can move forward with the like picking up the car. >> Okay. >> Sure, no problem. You know, originally it was a $7,000 down payment. We come here. Um then they're like, oh, the down payment has to be 9,500 or something like that because we're going to wave something out of yada yada. That was about 2 weeks ago or something like that. I asked him, how can I make the payment, you know, for the down payment? I said, I can bring you uh business check like what what can I make it? And then I even asked I said, uh this was on a Friday or Saturday or something like that so the bank was closed. So, um bring the check. And um they call me on Wednesday and they say that the check returned uh the funds weren't available or something like that. So, I go back. >> When were you notified So, when were you notified of that? >> That was um when did I grab my phone? >> Best of your >> Best of your knowledge. >> To the best of your knowledge. >> Um >> So, the first time the check didn't go through, what what what day was that? >> Thurs- Thursday Thursday of the follow of last week or something like that. >> Last Thursday, okay. >> Yeah. So, then um that's when the check didn't didn't go through. Um and so then uh I came in. They asked me to give him uh oh, no. I was here so with the whole situation that it was two checks and stuff like that, I had given him the wrong I had given them the wrong check. The original check for the original deal before they had asked me to go to get the um to go get you know, that the that the increase of the down payment was from 7,000. So, I had originally given them when we were here we had two checks. The one for 7,000 and the one for 9,500. I had given him the wrong check so I came back and I brought him the correct check with the original down payment amount. >> Okay, and that and that was on Thursday. >> That was on Thursday. >> So, you had two checks. >> Yeah, so >> And And and what was the lender for the checks? What was the What was the bank you used for the checks? >> First Horizon. That's our our bank. It's the same bank that we um we started our account with First Horizon. >> Okay. Checks. >> So, um no problem. He calls me today. Well, he calls Joe today, and Joe texts me and says, "You know, emergency, a Regal called." I said, "Okay, no problem." >> Who Who Who Who's Who's Joe? >> Uh the the gentleman that's right next to me. Uh my He is my partner. >> my son's dad. >> Okay. >> So, which his name is who the account that's >> Is it Is it like a um >> It's his account. >> Oh, it's his account. So, it's it's a loan that's going to him. >> No, no, no. So, the vehicle is for both of us. The We both signed the the for the vehicle. >> Oh, you're co-signers. >> Yeah, we both signed for the vehicle, but the bank where the funds are coming from is his bank. >> bank. >> You know, it's his it's his main account. That's the account where the check is written out of. So, he calls me, tells him that Mayor called him and told him that there was an issue with the check. Um I come here immediately to try to address it, try to figure out what's going on. I I called the bank. The bank obviously tells me like, you know, that the payment returned or whatever not, that they can uh put a stop payment to the check or something like that, and that they can and then the funds would be back in my account the next day. Within 24 to 48 hours, they could cuz when you when you get like a draft a printed draft, they take the funds out to put them into the check or something like that. I'm not sure. So, I came here with them, and I said, "Listen, what do you want me to do?" I said, "Do you want me to go to the bank and get you another check from the bank, or do you want me to um give you I said you know, give you the funds that I have in another account, and then come in the morning with the remaining balance?" And then he was the one that said, "No, I'll send you to the bank with your uh I'll send you to the bank with somebody." So, one of his sales person took me to the bank. Went to the bank, came back, and that's the check that I gave him. And then he was just telling me like that he already called and he cleared, everything was good, not a problem. Have Joe come cuz we have to resign the buyer's order. And that's it. And then you guys walked in when we were about to do that. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> They haven't that the last check that I brought him, they don't know if it cleared or not anything because he told me that he had called to verify and that you know, on his end it was fine, but he still had to take it to the bank and try to get it cashed and whatever not. >> So, as of right now, you have tried to clear two checks with this company? >> As of right now, I have yeah, one check and it returned so I gave him this is the the the check that returned says the funds weren't available and this is the >> And that check was for what the that was the check for 9,500? >> Yeah, it's only one check for 9,500. That is the deposit that is the down payment. And so then the other thing is I that was the down payment. The company that I guess financed the the vehicle which was American Credit uh Acceptance, they I called them this morning to find out if they already paid them and they issued funding and they told me that they had. The only thing that they were missing from them was some paperwork, but that it was already in funding. And so that they received the additional difference of the funds which was the 20,000 and some change. >> Okay. >> So, I yeah, I had no idea. I gave him the option of what do you want me to do? Do you They even took me themselves to the bank. He was like, "Oh, it's like your Uber, you know, we'll drive you there." Something like that. He had one of the gentlemen drive me to the bank. >> Okay. >> And >> What did you do at the bank? >> Huh? >> What did you do at the bank? >> The check. >> Okay. Which check did you get from >> The one that I gave him that he told me that he hasn't cashed or anything because he hasn't he is not able to cash it or whatever not. >> And this is the check that you handed to me? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> The check that I >> Do you know what what check number that was that they gave you? >> It starts with nine, I believe. It's like >> Okay. So, you said you have the bank statements. Normally, if you look at the bank statements, it'll tell you what check number they wrote wrote out. Is there a way for you to get into that? >> Um Well, the bank statement is going to give you the bank statements that's already been released. You mean the account itself? Like the >> you purchase a buyer's check, it tells you the check number that they're issuing. >> But, no. So, it's not it's a business account. So, what they do is they it's a draft check. They print us the checks. They print us the checks. >> You have a bank key shut down or something? And all of this is coming from your account? >> It's his account. It's Joe's. >> Are you on his account at all? >> Like, are you like an authorized user? Do you have Do you guys Are you able to access the funds from his account? >> Yeah, I'm in the business part of the business account, yes. >> Okay. >> But, uh he's the main signer on the account. I'm just an authorized person on the account. >> Okay. And each each one of these checks you physically got from the bank? >> No. Um only one of them. The first two we use our system to print our draft checks out. >> What what's >> QuickBooks. >> What is it that we use? >> We use QuickBooks. >> Okay. >> Let me see that account that >> Oh, he's going to have to open the account. I can't um This is not even accessible. I'm not even trying. >> So, have you at any point contacted the bank directly? The The Did you ever think to contact, you know, the your actual bank um regarding the reason why the checks aren't going through? Have you contacted them at any point? >> That's when I found out about a returning today. That's when I reached out to the bank and asked them why the check didn't um like why the check didn't clear or whatever is going on cuz they had told me that it didn't clear because of sufficient funds. >> Yeah, go right ahead. >> So I asked them, do you have other deposits you know we had other deposits in coming into the account. So I asked them and so that's when they told me like you know the funds would be in the account within 24 to 48 hours or something like that. So to tell them that if they wanted to the funds in cash you know like if you want cash I would have to bring it to them tomorrow. I could give them some funds today and then the remaining tomorrow. >> So the check was written the check was written prior to funds being available? >> Correct. The first check yes. >> Okay. >> And they were aware of that. >> And this is and this is from the the in the influx or of money that's from the business side of it from >> Correct. Yes. >> Okay. All right. And >> But as of right now I mean as of what I knew today was hey you know the check didn't the check didn't clear the check didn't there was not funds or something we couldn't verify it either bring us the funds or you know we'll take you to the bank to get to get the check to get another check. So that's what they decided. He drove me to the bank. I went to the bank. That was that. I So I gave him the option of giving him you know some cash today and the remaining of it in the morning and there was a lot of back and forth. Some people were saying yes other people were saying no. He told me you're good then he said you know you're not good. So I really don't and before you guys got here we were about to sign something. He told me that he had given it to his accounting team or something and he had already called and verified something. >> So So at the bank when you physically went there to get the check they never gave you an issue when it came to getting the check or obtaining it with you know being now you finding out that there was no availability of funds they never gave you an issue with that? >> No no I pending deposits that were coming into the account. That's what they said you know within 24 to 48 hours and I asked them and they said no you know we deposited it a couple of days to clear. >> And and And which bank did you physically go in person to? >> The one today or the one or >> The one The one today. >> Um >> Which one did you go in person to? So, they took you to a First Horizon location. >> Yes, they took me. >> Okay. >> They themselves took me and they ended up moving and the guy drove me there. >> Okay. >> Is that your son? >> No. >> That's your son. >> Yes. >> Do you have any arrests in the past? >> Huh? >> Do you have any arrests in >> I turned myself in one time before. >> For what? >> Um in Port Charlotte. >> Uh for uh We're not going to tell me anything. >> Yeah, of course not. It's uh I have been at It's an insurance fraud. >> Fraud. >> And um It was a job that we did in Port Charlotte. It's currently outstanding. Um The issue with the uh dispute between me and the customer as far as the work that was done and whatever not. Um >> What type of work is it? >> We do water damage, mold, and uh construction. So, as of the So, right now, I have a court case a court date next month and it is my understanding that um the case is going to get dismissed cuz I provided them with all documentation of the work that we did do. >> What's your first name? >> Gurdy. >> Gur- Gurdy? >> Gurdy. G U R D >> Gurdy. I'm sorry. They're talking in my ear this time. >> No, no, you're fine. >> Gurdy. >> That's really fine. >> What's up? >> You have a son. >> Yeah, unfortunately. >> I've been doing this 23 years. >> Okay. >> Okay? You can see the other guy that's standing there. We don't even do this. We just happen to get in here to help out. >> Okay. >> Okay. You being truthful is going to go a long way cuz they're going to pull everything. >> Yeah. >> They already have everything. Everything we have right now is showing fraudulent activity. >> Okay. >> Right? So, we have choices of what to do, right? DCF can get involved All these other problems because you have a child that's here. >> Okay. >> My suggestion would be to be truthful and honest. Exactly what you were And we can determine what leniency we have if we're going to charge you. Does that make sense? >> I understand. >> Okay. Right now, you're in a bad spot. Your boyfriend or fiance or I don't know I don't know who you got >> It's a child's father. >> Child's father. Both in a bad spot. And you got a child. >> I have four children. >> Okay. One is younger than a little older than him and one lot probably was your age, okay? Let's start over. What was the deal? >> I honestly did this >> What was the deal? >> Provided them a check for for them to >> Did you know that the funds weren't available in the check? >> No. Originally uh the account is not under my it's not under my name. So his his account we have funds we have the funds to spend it. Yes, this account >> So the account was under his name. >> Correct. And there's >> And you knew that the funds weren't available in it. >> had when we originally turned in the check to them on Saturday, we knew the funds weren't available. They told me they were going to hold the check for a couple days. I asked them, "Can I pay you with a business check?" And they told me, "Hey, the funds are going to you know the check's going to be deposited on Monday." >> Okay. >> Or something like that. >> And you brought another check. >> And so yeah, then they called me and said, "Bring me you know bring me another check." >> that check, was the funds available? >> Huh? >> Was the funds available? >> When I brought it that check, yes. >> So they tried to cash that check. >> Yeah, they that's the check that we're supposed to cash and then they called me today and they said that they couldn't cash it because it couldn't recognize it or something like that and that's when they said, "Go to the bank." >> So they said >> The check was like there was soda spilled on it or something and said >> So they couldn't recognize the numbers on it? Is that what they're >> That's what they're saying on their end that there's that it said. I don't know how true that is. When I called the bank, the bank told me that the check was never even attempted to be ran through. So that's when they >> So where did you get the second check? >> Huh? >> Where did you get that second check from? >> From the bank. So we the first check we we print our checks. We use QuickBooks to print our check checks our business account. And we have multiple accounts. We have uh First Horizon, we have SoFi, we have multiple accounts. So, we use QuickBooks. Whenever we're going to pay a vendor, we're going to we print out the check. So, that's where that came from. I They person I gave them the option today. Like I said, you know, it's cuz they were like, "You know, we're not going to Let's avoid the whole check thing because obviously it takes them a few days for them to know if the check cleared or whatever." Now, he said, "I said, I can bring you some cash." You know, what do you want to do? Do you want me to bring you some cash? >> So, it's out of the checking account. >> And you know, bring some cash today and the remaining tomorrow when the rest of the funds clear, or what do you want to do? And he was like, "Oh, you know, the the the tall gentleman." He said, "It's cool. Yeah, I'm good with you know, with doing that." That's what he said originally. So, I said, "Okay, let's do that." Then he came back to me and he said, um "No, I think we're good. Um I think you're fine. Don't leave." That's when I was about to leave. He said, "I think you're fine. Don't leave. Let me go talk to the I guess the GM, the general manager that's there. So, he went there and then he sat right here in this desk with me and said, "Hey, you know, this is the situation. You know, um I'm out of $9,500 right now cuz the check hasn't cleared. What you know, how do you want to handle it?" He's like, "I can hold the vehicle for 24 hours, you know, till tomorrow till you guys get the funds. You can bring it to me. Or he says, "Or I can send you to the bank with you know, I can send you with this person to the bank and you can go to the bank or whatever and try to get you know, get another check." And so, then that's >> I'm going to go talk to them and see what they say. Are you on probation or parole? >> No. >> Okay, my bad. Yeah. >> And so, then that's what I did. And so, the last thing that was said was like, "Hey, have Joe come here." >> Okay. >> To try to you know, >> Okay. >> sign everything. We're missing the buyer's order and everything like that. I even said to him, "Do you want me to bring the vehicle? What do you want me to do?" He said, "No, don't worry about the vehicle." He's like, "You just need to sign the buyer's order and then you're good to go. You're done." >> Okay. >> And then you guys just boom happened to show up. >> Okay. >> I mean, I was sitting there even playing around. I I'm not trying to take anybody's money. I want the car, you know? I want to drive the car. The car is at my house. Like, I'm not trying to steal the car from them. >> no, no, listen. We're not throwing those words out. So, my my my thing is and what what something that is confusing me is So, you you told me that you're an authorized you you're an authorized accessor of the account for the business, correct? >> Correct. >> So, but yet So, what what what is What is what does that access entail? Like, are you just able to get in and see, "Hey, this is how much money is here" or like did you not have to previously look into it prior to doing this or you kind of just tried taking your your his father's word for it? >> No, we were we had pending the pending deposits coming into the bank account so I could see the the bank account and the balance that's on the bank account and whatever not. I mean, there's only certain things that I could do that I'm accessible to do. That's why I mean, we have everything is connected to QuickBooks. That's how we print our checks. They use this a system called online check something. It verifies the account and everything. I mean, it's our it's his account. It's our account. It's not like some random person's account. It's not >> Yeah. >> It's our bank account. >> Okay. I just sit down Let me just verify with them if they need anything else. Just one second. I got nothing on him. >> Yes. >> I was thinking backwards like I said. >> Yes. That's what he just said. >> Chad and I agreed that I can go to this kid. Take her now because >> Correct. That's what me and Andy just had a whole conversation on. >> She said she said >> We talked to him. He's willing to tell us. I got her for which we know she did so I'm going to get her for the uttering and then we'll grab that. But, here's the issue. I'm missing she Can we get talked to him about >> She just wanted to do it. She just turned herself in. I transferred it. >> We need to see if they can close the cars cuz otherwise we're making a 10. >> Somebody walk away and going >> Who's got what is her sweater or what? >> Oh, it's not female. >> You don't got >> So, let me talk to him. >> So, what >> wants to do that, I'm going to grab all the 42s from the visitors somehow? >> Let me find it. Stand by with your phone. The songs The songs inside there with her. Stand by just in case >> Yeah. >> something happens and we got to run in there. >> Okay. >> All right, just stand by, all right? >> Okay. >> Is that all your stuff, ma'am? >> This is just the one that I >> What's your name? >> Gertie May. >> Gertie? My name's Eric, okay? Let me see all your stuff. All right. >> Take off your Take off your bracelet. Before they Anything else goes on. >> Anything in your pockets, Gertie? >> Yes. >> What you got? >> It's my keys. >> Just your keys? All right. Put your Put your hands like this. >> Like this? >> Put your hands together. Like this? >> Put your hands like this. >> No, other way. >> There you go. Other way. Other way. >> You want them to you? >> Yes. >> Is that my son and Joe? >> Who do you want to talk to? >> 10-4. We'll have a black female officer on the team reference 53, signal 19. >> Signal 19? >> There's a 19 or waiting. You want to see You want him to see you first? >> No, 18 is fine. >> I just need to speak to Joe just for a few minutes. >> 5-6, actually be a signal 18. Your handcuffs are tight. Hold on, wait. Just give her a second. >> She was placed under arrest for uttering a forged instrument. Share your thoughts in the comments below. And don't forget to like and subscribe.

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