Hopkinton, Southborough Police Collaborate to Charge Man After Fraud Attempts at Banks

HOPKINTON & SOUTHBOROUGH — A Pennsylvania man is facing multiple charges after an investigation by the Hopkinton Police Department and Southborough Police Department determined that he attempted to commit fraud at banks in both communities within a short period of time.

On Wednesday, March 11, at about 3:12 p.m., Hopkinton Police responded to a bank at 10 Main St. for a report of a man attempting to impersonate another individual.

Hopkinton Police Officer Justin Cappuccio arrived as the man was leaving the bank. Employees signaled to the officer that the individual was involved in the incident. Officer Cappuccio identified himself and instructed the man to return inside and sit down while he began an investigation.

The investigation revealed that a man, later identified as EDWARD HEINZMAN, attempted to withdraw $2,800 from a bank account and provided a license in another person’s name. Police confirmed that the license number corresponded to a real individual with the same name and date of birth, but with a different address and physical appearance.

During the investigation, bank employees informed Hopkinton Police that a similar situation had just been reported at the same bank’s Southborough branch.

At about 3:17 p.m., Southborough Police Officer Christopher Byrne Jr. was dispatched to a bank at 162 Cordaville Road for a report of an attempted check fraud that had recently occurred.

Officers learned that a man entered the bank at about 2:52 p.m. and attempted to cash a check for $2,147.53. The man provided a license to the clerk, who immediately determined that it appeared to be fraudulent.

Further investigation by Southborough Police Officer Byrne Jr. and Detective Owen O’Brien, who responded to Hopkinton after learning of the similar incident, revealed that the man used the same fraudulent license at both banks.

Through the joint investigation, Hopkinton and Southborough Police determined the suspect’s identity to be HEINZMAN. Officers also learned that he had an active, extraditable warrant out of Pennsylvania for a parole violation.

HEINZMAN, AGE 60, of WAYNESBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, was arrested by Hopkinton Police and charged with:

• Forging or Misusing an RMV Signature
• Furnishing a False ID To Law Enforcement
• Possession or Use of a False or Stolen RMV Document
• Intimidation of a Witness/Juror/Police/Court Official
• Fugitive from Justice on a Court Warrant

Southborough Police were also granted a warrant on Thursday in Westborough District Court for HEINZMAN‘s arrest, charging him with:

• Forging or Misusing an RMV Signature
• Identity Fraud
• Forgery of a Check
• Uttering a False Check
• Attempt to Commit a Crime (Larceny Over $1,200)

HEINZMAN is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Framingham District Court.

“This was good, old-fashioned police work,” said Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett. “Bank employees trusted their instincts and alerted us quickly, which allowed us to respond immediately and detain the suspect before he could even leave. There was strong collaboration between our officers and the Southborough Police Department to piece together what happened in both communities and take the suspect into custody.”

“Criminals will often move from town to town hoping departments don’t realize what they are doing,” said Southborough Police Chief Ryan Newell. “The bank employees quickly reporting suspicious activity allowed our officers to work collaboratively with the Hopkinton Police Department to identify the pattern and pursue charges. That kind of collaboration is critical in cases like this.”

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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