An NYPD officer allegedly stole more than $85,000 from unsuspecting Wells Fargo customers while working at a Rye Brook branch before joining the police force.
Yeison Rodriguez-Acosta, 27, was arrested by Rye police on Thursday, accused of illegally accessing money from the accounts of 14 victims and using the funds for lavish personal expenses, including a BMW X6 lease and a trip to Caribbean. He also used the funds to pay off credit cards for himself and family members, police said.
Four other victims declined to participate in the investigation due to their age, according to police.
Rodriguez-Acosta had previously worked as the operations coordinator at the Wells Fargo branch on South Ridge Street in Rye Brook.
Rodrigeuz-Acosta, of Manhattan, joined the NYPD in October 2024 and was transferred to the 48th Precinct in the Tremont section of the Bronx in May, according to 50-a.org, a search engine for public NYPD data.
The hefts continued, however, even after he left the bank for the NYPD Academy, with fraudulent activity continuing as late as June.
Twelve of the victims were over the age of 75. The initial victim was a Rye resident, and many of the victims were from the Sound Shore, Rye police Lt. Michael Anfuso told The Record.
“The defendant’s brazen conduct, as alleged, does a disservice to his colleagues in law enforcement, who wear the badge honorably and took the same oath to protect and serve,” said county District Attorney Susan Cacace.
His arrest followed a 10-month investigation by Rye police and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
The NYPD told The Record that Rodriguez-Acosta has been suspended without pay.
Photo courtesy Rye PD
Rodriguez-Acosta was arraigned in Rye City Court on Thursday morning and faces more than 30 charges, including grand larceny, identity theft, and scheme to defraud.
“Results such as today’s arraignment help keep communities safe and, in this case, remove an individual who is charged with scheming to defraud numerous individuals, not only in Rye but in the greater Westchester County area,” said Rye Public Safety Commissioner Michael Kopy, who urged any other potential victims to contact police or the DA’s office.
The investigation is ongoing and authorities said they expect additional charges could come.
A Wells Fargo spokesperson said Rodriguez-Acosta is no longer employed by the branch and the bank is “cooperating with law enforcement.”
