Suspect Accused Of $89,000 Bank Fraud In Westport: Police

WESTPORT, CT — Westport police have charged a 38-year-old Brooklyn, New York man with larceny and identity theft in connection with an alleged $89,000 bank fraud case from January 2025.

John Hammonds was arrested Monday on charges of first-degree larceny and third-degree identity theft, and he remains in custody in lieu of bail of $70,000.

According to Westport police, an investigation was launched after a complainant reported that he had been the victim of bank fraud; his bank had advised him that someone made an unauthorized, in-person wire transfer of $89,000 from one of his accounts to an unaffiliated account.

Investigators identified Hammonds as a suspect, after Westport police said he conducted the transaction at an M&T Bank branch in New York while representing himself as the victim.

Westport police obtained an arrest warrant for Hammonds, and on Aug. 20, the department was notified by authorities in New Jersey that Hammonds was in custody and was scheduled to be extradited to Connecticut in connection with unrelated charges.

Upon extradition, he was charged by Westport detectives, and was arraigned in Stamford Superior Court. His next court date is scheduled for Nov. 9.