Ex Accused In New Rochelle BMW Arson Is Charged With Fraud In Croton

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY — A man accused of a brazen, and potentially dangerous, act of aggression in New Rochelle is also facing felony fraud charges in another Westchester town.

The Croton-on-Hudson Police Department said that they arrested 34-year-old Hari Valdez last week in New Rochelle, after he was already in New Rochelle police custody, accused of setting his ex-wife's BMW on fire.

In early February, Croton-on-Hudson police received a report from a victim who noticed two fraudulent charges in their bank account for around $4,000 each. Detectives subpoenaed bank records and found four additional fraudulent charges which totaled around $13,000.

Investigators were able to trace four of the checks to businesses, one in New Rochelle and one in the Bronx. Video surveillance of Valdez in each of the banks was also discovered.

SEE ALSO: Ex-Husband Arrested After BMW Goes Up In Flames In Downtown Garage

On Tuesday of last week, Valdez was arrested by New Rochelle police for arson and felony criminal mischief after he was accused of setting his ex-wife's BMW on fire in a downtown garage.

Croton-on-Hudson detectives then took custody of the Bronx man in New Rochelle and took him to police headquarters. Valdez was charged with one count of third-degree grand larceny, four counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, and one count of petit larceny.

He was arraigned at the Village of Croton-on-Hudson Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.