Bedminster Township police say suspect deposited nearly $200,000 from fraudulent account; investigation into second check remains ongoing
A Texas man has been extradited to Bucks County to face felony charges in connection with an alleged scheme that drained nearly $390,000 from a Bedminster Township resident’s home equity line of credit.
Torian Devonte Fridia, 31, was arrested June 7 by the Lancaster Police Department in Texas on a warrant issued by Bedminster Township Police. On June 25, the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office transported Fridia back to Pennsylvania, where he was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Daniel Gallagher.
Fridia is charged with one felony count each of forgery, theft by deception, theft and receiving stolen property, along with one felony count of access device fraud. Bail was set at 10% of $500,000, and Fridia was remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
The investigation began July 11, 2023, when a Bedminster Township resident reported fraudulent activity involving a home equity line of credit account. Police said someone established an online bank account and transferred money from the victim’s line of credit into a fraudulent checking account.
According to investigators, two checks totaling $389,200 were later issued from that fraudulent account. After what police described as a lengthy investigation, detectives determined Fridia allegedly deposited one of the checks, valued at $197,100, into a bank account before making withdrawals from those funds.
Police said the investigation remains active as detectives continue working to identify the individual responsible for depositing the second fraudulent check.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact Officer Jim Browne of the Bedminster Township Police Department at 215-795-2972, ext. 108, or by email at [email protected]. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the department.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
