Man pleads not guilty to stealing $1,400 from victim’s bank account

The 30-year-old man accused of stealing $1,400 from another individual’s personal SunTrust bank account in late January allegedly used his own ID and the victim’s account information to make the withdrawal, according to testimony Thursday morning in Columbus Recorder’s Court.

Michael John London, one of two men who authorities said stole from the account, pleaded not guilty to identity fraud. Officials are still searching for the alleged unidentified accomplice who made an authorized withdrawal of $11,125.

Cpl. Dechon Grant with the Columbus Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit said the victim reported the incident on Feb. 23 after noticing the two unauthorized withdrawals made on Jan. 5 and Jan. 26. Surveillance video from his bank showed one man making the first transaction and another making the second.

After further investigation, police determined that the second individual used his own driver’s license and the victim’s bank account number to withdraw $1,400. When authorities learned that the ID belonged to London, a warrant was issued for his arrest, the detective testified.

“He used an over-counter withdrawal slip, filled it out and then presented his driver’s license with (the victim’s) account information,” said Grant, who noted that the victim and defendant look very similar. “He presented it to the clerk and the clerk was able to honor and give him the cash.”

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 3:21 PM with the headline "Man pleads not guilty to stealing $1,400 from victim’s bank account."