2 Investigations, 2 Extraditable Warrants: NY Man, NH Man, Charged in Fraud, Domestic Violence Cases: NBPD

NORTH BRANFORD, CT — After lengthy investigations, North Branford police extradited two men, one from New York on larceny charges and another from New Hampshire on domestic violence charges, the department annouced Wednesday.

In the first case, a financial fraud investigation, in October of 2024, North Branford police received a complaint from an 80-year-old resident who reported being the victim of a suspected financial fraud scheme.

According to police, the investigation began after the victim received a text message on their iPhone that appeared to be an Apple security alert and provided a telephone number for assistance. After contacting the number, the victim spoke with a male who falsely identified himself as an employee of the Federal Trade Commission, police said. The male told the victim that her personal information had been compromised and that the suspects had access to her personal data, officials said.

The man convinced her to withdraw approximately $28,000 in cash from her bank, police said.

"She was instructed to place the money in a box, which would be collected by an individual posing as an undercover agent and held temporarily until her identity could be restored," authorities noted.

According to a news release, police did an "extensive investigation involving numerous search and investigative warrants, as well as a review of law enforcement databases."

Lead investigator Detective Craig Miller, with the assistance of Sergeant Pasquale Marino and Detective Massimo Piroli, identified two suspects: Jing Song Zhang, 46, and Guanghua Chen, 47, both of Flushing, New York

Police said the two men had driven from New York to Northford in a 2017 white Porsche Cayenne bearing New York plates and there, "took possession of the box containing the victim's money before leaving the area."

In a post to Facebook, it's noted that "Detective Miller conducted numerous investigative efforts to locate and apprehend both suspects."

With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, Jing Song Zhang was ultimately apprehended at his residence in New York and subsequently extradited to Connecticut, according to the news release. He was charged with first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny.

Guanghua Chen remains at large, with "investigative efforts to locate and apprehend Chen are ongoing."

The North Branford Police Department extends its appreciation to the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the New Haven State's Attorney's Office for their assistance and cooperation throughout this investigation.

Domestic violence investigation

On July 14, members of the North Branford Police Department Patrol Division, led by Officer Robert Deko, responded to a domestic violence incident in the Northford section of North Branford, police said.

Because this investigation involves a juvenile, the department will not be releasing additional details regarding the underlying incident, police said.

Following a month-long investigation led by Deko, with assistance from outside law enforcement agencies, an arrest warrant was obtained for Christopher White, 38, of Laconia, New Hampshire.

White was taken into custody by the Belmont (New Hampshire) Police Department and extradited to Connecticut.

Wednesday White was transferred into the custody of the North Branford Police Department, where he was processed and charged with risk of injury to a child, two counts of second-degree breach of peace, second-degree strangulation/suffocation and third-degree assault.

"I couldn't be prouder of the work our personnel are doing day in and day out," North Branford Police Chief James Lovelace said. "Their commitment and dedication to this community is unwavering. From our Communications Department to Patrol and the Detective Division, our personnel continue to pursue these investigations, work closely with our law enforcement partners, and deliver results for the victims of these crimes.“

Lovelace added: "These cases demonstrate the importance of persistent investigative work and the strong partnerships we have established with law enforcement agencies throughout Connecticut and across state lines. I commend Detective Miller, Officer Deko, Sergeant Marino, Detective Piroli, our Patrol Division, and everyone involved for their professionalism and dedication."

In its Facebook post, police thanked all the agencies involved in both cases. And added a reminder to residents about how to protect themselves from scams and fraud.