Bronx Man Arrested in Check-Washing Scheme Targeting Two Suffolk Women

An unemployed Bronx man faces grand larceny and identity theft charges after Suffolk County Police say he chemically altered 14 stolen checks over seven months, draining more than $20,000 from two Long Island women who had simply dropped payments in the mail.

John Dematteo, 58, was arrested March 12 following an investigation by the Suffolk County Police Financial Crimes Unit. Prosecutors allege he began stealing checks in transit through the United States Postal Service in August 2025 and used chemicals to strip the ink from each one, leaving only the original signature intact, before rewriting the payee and amount to direct funds to himself.

The bulk of the losses fell on an 86-year-old Bay Shore woman. Dematteo allegedly washed 12 of her checks, resulting in $17,315 in losses. A 73-year-old Patchogue woman lost an additional $3,414 after two of her checks were altered, bringing the combined theft to more than $20,000.

Dematteo was charged with two counts of third-degree grand larceny and two counts of first-degree identity theft. He appeared before Judge James F. Leonick at First District Court in Central Islip, where he entered a not guilty plea to all counts and was represented by Legal Aid. Court records show he was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court April 1.

Investigators have not yet determined how Dematteo intercepted the checks while they were in postal transit. It remains unclear whether he ever worked for the Postal Service or obtained the checks through some other means. The United States Postal Inspection Service has been notified of the investigation and arrest.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim of this scheme, or who has information about it, should contact the Suffolk County Police Financial Crimes Unit at 631-852-6821.