Financial Crime Investigation & Arrest 

March 2, 2024 - Fresno Police Department officials report that in early January 2024, the Fresno Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit (FCU) began investigating reports of fraudulent check deposits at local credit union ATMs.  Following the deposits, funds would be immediately transferred out of the accounts before the checks were determined to be fraudulent or stolen. The male suspect involved in each of the deposits was careful to conceal his identity. During the investigation it was learned the suspect recruited over 100 credit union members to get access to their accounts, depositing over 150 forged checks into these accounts and causing a monetary loss to the credit unions exceeding $250,000.

Through financial records, search warrants and follow-up investigation, the suspect was identified as 40-year-old Tyrell Marquis McKenzie of Fresno. An arrest warrant was obtained for McKenzie for PC 476 – Check Fraud, PC 532 – Theft by False Pretenses, and PC 530.5 – Identity Theft.

On February 22, 2024, FCU Detectives and the Northwest District Safety Team members served a search warrant at one of the suspect’s apartments and obtained additional evidence. On February 23, 2024, FCU Detectives conducted surveillance at The Row Luxury Apartments at Willow Avenue and Shepherd Avenue, observing McKenzie walking through the complex near his apartment. He was arrested without incident, and an additional search warrant was executed at this apartment. Significant evidence was obtained, further linking him to the fraud. Evidence seized included numerous identification cards, social security cards, completed checks, boxes of various blank check stock, computers, printing equipment and other electronics.

Following his arrest, the above charges were filed with the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. McKenzie has since posted bail and was released from custody.

Source & photo: Fresno Police Department