BRIGHTON, Boston.- A 27-year-old man was arrested in Brighton after police seized 124 forged ATM/debit cards during a traffic stop Tuesday, August 18.
At about 12:15 p.m., officers assigned to Brighton stopped a vehicle near Harvard Avenue and Brainerd Road after observing it proceed through the intersection of Harvard Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue without stopping at a red light.
As officers approached the vehicle, they recognized the driver as an individual detectives were seeking to identify in connection with an ongoing ATM card fraud investigation.
The driver provided an Italian driver’s license and a bank card bearing the same name. While speaking with him, officers observed a large stack of U.S. currency bundled together in the center console and numerous credit and debit cards in the cup holder.
The driver did not possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in the United States and was taken into custody.
Following an investigation by detectives, officers seized 124 forged ATM/debit cards and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. Investigators also determined that the Italian driver’s license and bank card provided by the driver were fraudulent.
Police identified the suspect as Nicusor Lazar, 27.
Lazar is expected to be arraigned in Brighton District Court on charges of money laundering, two counts of uttering, identity fraud, forgery of an RMV document, and furnishing a false ID to law enforcement.
