Hauppauge Man Busted for Stealing Nearly $80K Check

A Hauppauge man is facing serious charges after allegedly swiping and cashing a check worth almost $80,000 that was meant for a Virginia woman.

On March 29, 2024, Justin Meneses, 25, of 10 Spacecraft Lane, intercepted a check for $79,876.52 from the US Treasury Department’s Hardship Loan Program that was intended for a 57-year-old Virginia resident. Meneses altered the check and deposited it into his own bank account, pocketing the money and leaving the rightful recipient empty-handed.

After a thorough investigation, Meneses was arrested on June 5, 2024, at the Nassau County Police Department’s 8th Precinct in Bethpage. He was taken into custody without incident.

Meneses now faces charges of Grand Larceny, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, and Identity Theft. He was set to be arraigned on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.

As a reminder, a criminal charge is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Photo: NCPD.