Man accused in $19k bank fraud scheme, assault on police officer
MAHANOY CITY – A Shenandoah man is in Schuylkill County Prison, accused of trying to swipe $19,000 in an apparent bank fraud scheme and assaulting a police officer when confronted about it.
Yeilyn Alberto Encarnacion Bello, 25, of South Jardin Street, was arraigned last Thursday on felony aggravated assault, evading arrest, and attempted theft by unlawful taking charges filed by Mahanoy City Police.
According to the criminal complaint filed by Chief T.J. Rentschler, officers were called to the M&T Bank in downtown Mahanoy City around 4pm Thursday, Jan. 8 for a report of a male trying to commit bank fraud.
Corporal Charles Kovalewski arrived and was directed to Encarnacion Bello, who allegedly feigned receiving a phone call and attempted to walk out of the branch.
Kovalewski attempted to detain the man and warned that he would be handcuffed if he continued to attempt to leave.
He continued into the vestibule and Kovalewski grabbed his jacket, at which point Encarnacion Bello attempted to run out the front door.
Kovalewski caught the man and was allegedly thrown to the ground, according to the complaint, and Encarnacion Bello continued to flee into town.
Police officers from Shenandoah, Frackville, Mahanoy Township, West Mahanoy Township, and Union Township all responded to assist, finding Encarnacion Bello in the 300 block of East Pine Street.
M&T Bank staff told police that Encarnacion Bello was attempting to withdraw $19,000 which he said came from selling a car on Facebook marketplace. He displayed a New York driver’s license.
The funds had allegedly been stolen from another M&T customer’s account according to the complaint.
Encarnacion Bello was arraigned and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $75,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 29 in Shenandoah.
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