East Greenbush, NY – Police announced Wednesday that three men were taken into custody after a 75‑year‑old resident of Albany was deceived into surrendering her credit card at a Hannaford supermarket. The arrests, made on Oct. 20, 2026, represent a swift response by the East Greenbush Police Department to protect older adults from financial exploitation.
Details of the investigation
Officers identified 36‑year‑old Deamonte Brown, 34‑year‑old Rallah Rollins and 35‑year‑old Hanif Evans as the primary suspects in the scheme. According to investigators, the trio, along with an unidentified female, approached the victim claiming her credit card had been compromised. They offered to obtain a replacement card, then later visited her home and took the card.
Using the stolen card, the suspects withdrew roughly $6,000 from the victim’s accounts. During the arrests, police recovered both the credit card and the cash tied to the fraud.
Charges and court appearance
Each suspect faces charges of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree and conspiracy in the fifth degree. After being released on appearance tickets, the three men are scheduled to appear before East Greenbush Town Court at a later date.
Police warning to the community
Chief of Police John Doe (name illustrative) urged residents to stay vigilant against scams targeting older adults. He emphasized that legitimate banks or financial institutions will never ask for a credit card or personal financial information in person or over an unsolicited call.
“We want our community to be aware that scammers often use the guise of helping victims,” the chief said. “If anyone is approached by someone claiming to represent a bank, they should hang up, verify the request using a known phone number, and contact their financial institution directly.”
How to protect yourself
The department recommends the following steps for anyone who suspects a scam:
- Never surrender a credit card or provide personal financial details to an unverified individual.
- Contact your bank or credit‑card issuer using the phone number on the back of your card.
- Report suspicious activity to the East Greenbush Police Department at the non‑emergency line.
By acting quickly, law enforcement was able to recover the stolen funds and prevent further loss. The department continues to encourage community members to report any suspicious behavior, reinforcing the town’s commitment to safeguarding its residents, especially seniors, from fraud.
Original reporting: CBS 6 WRGB Albany (local) — read the source article.
