Large-scale fraudulent check passing ring busted; undocumented immigrants with possible gang ties to Houston arrested.
Special to Beneath the Surface News
The following is a narrative released by the Dublin Police Department on Feb. 3
On Jan. 31, a coordinated operation between the Dublin Police Department, Stephenville Police Department and Erath County Sheriff’s Office led to the successful arrest of four individuals suspected of being involved in a large-scale fraudulent check and identity theft operation.
The investigation revealed the group had been passing fraudulent checks at multiple locations, including in Dublin, Stephenville and potentially other areas.
The operation was first uncovered after a concerned citizen reported suspicious activity, following the suspects and alerting authorities.
Officers quickly located a vehicle occupied by some of the suspects, while one individual, later identified as Victor Alonzo Lopez-Chavez, was located at a local business attempting to cash a fraudulent check.
During the investigation, officers discovered fraudulent identification documents, forged checks, a stolen firearm, and over $19,000 in U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from the fraudulent activities.
A "license plate flipper" was also found in the vehicle, indicating an attempt to evade detection.
Authorities have identified additional individuals involved in this operation and are actively working to locate them.
Investigators believe the group is connected to undocumented immigrants with possible gang ties to the Houston.
The suspects arrested are being held in the Erath County Jail, facing multiple charges.
Ronald Antonio Amaya-Chicas has been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity (forgery), possession of a license plate flipper, fraudulent use or possession of identifying information and theft of a firearm.
Marlon Alexander Solano-Coreas has been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity (forgery), possession of a license plate flipper and fraudulent use or possession of identifying information.
He is being held on an immigration hold.
Devis Adonis Merino-Garcia has been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity (forgery), possession of a license plate flipper and fraudulent use or possession of identifying information.
He is also being held on an immigration hold.
Victor Alonzo Lopez-Chavez had been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and forgery by passing with an immigration hold.
“We are currently being assisted in this investigation by federal agencies, including U.S. Border Patrol, as well as other federal law enforcement agencies,” Dublin Police Chief Cameron Ray stated in the press release.
“The Dublin Police Department is continuing to investigate the full scope of this extensive operation and any potential connections to broader criminal networks.
“Based on the information currently available to us, it is our belief that none of the individuals involved in this incident are local to our area. It appears that this group specifically targets small, rural communities and businesses, likely in an effort to avoid detection.
“Their operational plan seems to involve committing fraudulent acts and departing before the wrongdoing is noticed.”
