North Greenbush Police say ID theft suspect caught red-handed

A man from New York City is accused of trying to steal thousands of dollars from someone’s bank account in North Greenbush.

Police say someone tried to withdraw $85,000 Saturday morning from the Berkshire Bank on North Greenbush Road. When the transaction was denied, he instead asked to take out $5,000.

Bank employees were suspicious of the driver’s license he was showing and thought he was acting strange. So they called police.

Officers caught up with the man, and he insisted he was the person listed on the license. But police eventually identified him as James Chandler, a homeless man from the Bronx. He’s facing several charges, including attempted grand larceny, forgery, and identity theft.

“This was great work by the bank employees,” said Chief David M. Keevern. “If they weren’t alert to the legitimacy of the documents and Chandler’s demeanor, there would have been a major financial loss.”

While somewhat similar to Felony Lane Gang behavior, police do not believed Chandler is part of that group. They say this case is more similar to another criminal ring that has been operating out of New York City.