RYE, NY (March 20, 2026) — A Bridgeport, Connecticut man was charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses following a traffic stop on Milton Road in Rye in which police said a vehicle had been purchased using a fraudulent cashier’s check.
According to the City of Rye Police Department, officers observed a blue BMW sedan traveling southbound on Milton Road at approximately 6:45 p.m. without license plates displayed. A traffic stop was conducted at the intersection of Milton Road and Rectory Street.
Police said the driver, identified as Mikayla Lumfuakiadi, provided a valid Connecticut driver’s license and stated she was operating the vehicle, which had recently been purchased by her friend.
During the stop, officers identified a passenger as 24-year-old Jose Gonzales of Bridgeport, Connecticut, who had previously identified himself during a separate traffic stop earlier that day. Police said Gonzales indicated he had paid for the vehicle but did not have a bill of sale or license plates.
An investigation determined Gonzales had allegedly purchased the BMW using a fraudulent cashier’s check and had attempted to identify himself to the victim as “Robert Hines” using a fraudulent Massachusetts driver’s license. Police said the parties had agreed to meet in Rye through Facebook Marketplace, where the vehicle was listed for sale.
Police said Gonzales admitted to providing a fraudulent check to purchase the BMW for $75,000. He was arrested and transported to Rye Police Headquarters for processing. The vehicle was returned to the victim after the necessary paperwork was provided.
Gonzales was charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a Class E felony; grand larceny in the fourth degree, a Class E felony; two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree, Class A misdemeanors; and criminal impersonation in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
He was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in Rye City Court on March 31, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
Police noted that all charges are accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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