On 12-30-14, Joan Heward reported that after checking the balance on her Wells Fargo company checking account, she discovered numerous unauthorized transactions. The
unauthorized transactions totaled over $9,000. All of the transactions appeared to have occurred over the internet and none were authorized by Heward or any other account holder. The debit card used to make each transaction was in Heward’s name.
Several of the fraudulent transactions appeared to be made for purchases at skateboarding related companies. Heward suspected that her neighbor, Daniel Arocho, may have obtained her debit card information and made the fraudulent purchases. Arocho had, on occasion, assisted Heward with carrying in groceries. Investigation revealed that Arocho had received numerous packages while living at an address on Hanley Drive. He advised his roommates that the packages were deliveries from his skateboarding sponsors.
Review of the bank records indicated that 106 fraudulent transactions had been made through 26 different online merchants. The transactions were made between 10-17-2014 and
12-29-2014. The total monetary amount of the fraudulent purchases was $9,383.70. Detectives contacted each of the merchants. Fourteen merchants were able to provide order details. Each of those transactions contained the name of Daniel Arocho. The shipping address on the orders was 12488 Hanley Drive in Spring Hill, Arocho’s address. The telephone number and e-mail address were consistent with Arocho’s information.On 01-21-15 detectives conducted a recorded interview with Daniel Arocho at his new residence on Marlow Avenue in Spring Hill. Arocho told detectives that on one occasion while at Heward’s residence, he observed her wallet on the counter. He was able to view her debit card at that time and memorize the card number and the security number. Arocho then proceeded to make the fraudulent purchases.
Arocho acknowledged that most of the orders were for skateboarding equipment, clothing, and sneakers; however, he did purchase an engagement ring for his girlfriend for $52.99.
When asked how much he thought he had spent, he stated, “a lot.” Arocho still had many of the items he had purchased in his home and pointed them out to detectives (after signing a waiver of search). The items consisted of 21 pairs of shoes/sneakers, 50 articles of clothing, four watches, an engagement ring, five skateboards, one skateboard ramp, one skateboard rack, and numerous miscellaneous items. Most of the items were used and no longer contained labels.
On 01-27-15 Arocho contacted Detective Chris Vascellaro and advised that he wanted to turn himself in. Detective Vascellaro met Arocho at the Hernando County Detention Center and placed Arocho under arrest. Daniel Ruben Arocho W/M DOB/06-13-1992 was charged as follows:
Organized Fraud
Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information
Bond – $7,000.