Suspects Accused of Forging $30,000 Check

A bank manager at a Windward Parkway bank branch found quite a few things suspicious about a young man's attempt to deposit a $30,000 check into his just opened account, and now the man and an alleged accomplice have been arrested on forgery charges.

The 24-year-old unemployed Duluth man brought the $30,000 check to the branch on April 25 just after 3:30 p.m. The red flags identified by the bank manager included:

• The suspect's account was opened on the same day
• The account had a balance of 55 cents
• The phone number provided by the suspect was different than the number listed on the account
• The check holder, whom she contacted directly, said several fraudulent checks have been passed on the account in the past 24 hours, and to call police.

When an Alpharetta police officer arrived, he saw a possible second suspect in the parking lot in the passenger seat and on the phone. The incident report said it's common for an accomplice to be outside as a lookout. He reported the alleged accomplice's description and that of the vehicle to other officers approaching the bank. Once he escorted the suspect back into the bank, the officer saw the second suspect get into the driver's seat of the car and drive away.

The suspect, meanwhile, said an unknown guy approached him and gave him the $30,000 check, with instructions to deposit half of it, take $15,000 in cash and keep $5,000 of the cash as his share. He also described the other suspect, who was stopped by other officers.

Dylan Gargiulo, 24, of Duluth, was arrested and cited for first degree forgery. He remained in Fulton County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bond.

Nathaniel T. Whigham, 31, of Norcross, was cited for forgery first degree-party to a crime. He remains in Fulton County Jail in leu of $25,000 bond.

 For questions about this blotter, email Bob Pepalis.