A 33-year-old Miami resident, Luis Albert Alonso, was arrested on August 24th in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative (FKEC). The Monroe County Sheriff's Office reported that Alonso is accused of attempting to steal more than $8,600 by illegally altering a dividend check.

Allegations Detail Check Alteration and Mobile Deposits

According to the sheriff's office, Alonso allegedly stole a dividend check issued by FKEC that was intended for one of his relatives. He is accused of altering the check's details before making two mobile deposits into his personal bank account. These deposits, made using the altered check, reportedly totaled approximately $8,648.

Investigation Leads to Arrest

Discrepancies were noted by both FKEC and the banks involved in the transactions, prompting them to notify the sheriff's office. Detectives gathered evidence with assistance from the financial institutions and FKEC. Warrants were subsequently issued for Alonso's arrest, and he was booked into jail on August 24th. The charges against him include organized fraud, possession of personal identifying information with intent to defraud, grand theft, depositing a bank item with intent to defraud, and using a two-way communication device to commit a felony. For more details on this incident, the Keys Weekly reported on the arrest and the charges filed.

The Florida Keys Electric Cooperative is a member-owned utility serving the residents and businesses of the Florida Keys. Information about utility services and customer resources can be found on their official website.

The Florida Keys Electric Cooperative, a member-owned utility, serves the residents and businesses throughout the island chain. Further information regarding their services and customer resources can typically be found on their official website. The investigation highlights the ongoing efforts by local law enforcement and utility companies to combat financial fraud within the community. The Florida Realtors also recently reported on economic trends in the state, indicating a broader context of financial activity and potential impacts on local markets.