SOMERSET, MA — Five people were arrested June 9, 2026, after police said they attempted to withdraw $30,000 from a victim’s bank account using fraudulent identification.
Somerset Police Officers responded to Rockland Trust Bank at 100 Slades Ferry Avenue for a report of a female suspect actively involved in a potential check fraud scheme.
Detective James Cardella and Detective Donald Cormier, who was operating an unmarked police cruiser, advised responding uniformed officers to remain several blocks away from the bank based on experience with similar fraud investigations, which often involve co-conspirators waiting in a vehicle some distance from the target location.
A short time later, the female suspect exited Rockland Trust Bank and walked west on Slades Ferry Avenue before approaching and entering a white 2026 Dodge Durango bearing Michigan registration 37578RF.
Officers then converged on the area and conducted a motor vehicle stop of the Durango.
The investigation revealed that the suspects were attempting to withdraw $30,000 from the victim’s bank account after successfully assuming his identity.
As part of the scheme, the suspects changed the telephone number associated with the victim’s account.
When bank employees called to verify the transaction, they initially spoke with one of the suspects, who fraudulently authorized the withdrawal.
Rockland Trust employees recognized irregularities in the transaction and contacted the victim using a previously documented telephone number associated with the account.
The victim advised bank personnel that he had not authorized the transaction, at which time bank employees contacted the Somerset Police Department.
Five individuals were placed under arrest for their involvement in the scheme.
The Dodge Durango was subsequently seized pending the issuance of a search warrant.
Detective Donald Cormier later obtained a search warrant for the Dodge Durango.
Execution of the search warrant resulted in the seizure of approximately $1,117 in U.S. currency, fifteen bank cards bearing the names of individuals other than the five arrested individuals, nine fraudulent checks, one electronic weapon, nine cellular telephones, and one tablet computer.
Chief Tedford stated that the investigation conducted by Detective James Cardella and Detective Donald Cormier revealed a coordinated scheme to obtain funds from the victim’s bank account through identity theft, account manipulation, and the use of fraudulent identification and financial instruments.
Evidence recovered during the execution of the search warrant was consistent with methods commonly employed by organized fraud and identity theft groups.
The following five individuals were arrested and all have been charged with attempt to commit a crime, uttering a false check, and conspiracy: Troy Donell Gathers Jr., 23, of Marlborough; Brandon Kevin Williams Jr., 23, of Chelsea; Donnie Earl Smith Jr., 24, of Randolph; Kayana Evon-Laurine Powell, 20, of Taunton; and Donnie Earl Smith, 25, of Lowell.
