Military imposter charged with larceny

West Hartford (WTNH) - Police say they have charged a Hartford man with larceny after he allegedly dressed up as an Army soldier and bought a car with a bad check.

Orlando Ramos-Cabrera, 18, allegedly bought a 2008 Dodge Charger at a East Hartford dealership with a fraudulent check.

He then went to the TD Banknorth in West Hartford and tried to cash another fraudulent check in the amount of $40,000.

Ramos-Cabrera was dressed in full Army uniform and identified himself as a sergeant, which turned out to be false.

"When our officers talked to him about it, he said he's been in the military for over a year and a half," Captain Paul Melanson, of the West Hartford Police Department, said. "That he just came back from Afghanistan."

Captain Melanson said the only problem is "the officer who was talking to him was a former marine."

After a few quick questions, officers could tell that he was not in the military. And, they now believe he was trying to pull what's called a check-kiting scheme.

The 18-year-old was arrested and appeared before a judge in Hartford Superior Court. In the courtroom, he was wearing a National Guard t-shirt. Police say, while they've seen this scam many times before, Ramos-Cabrera put a new spin on it.

"He's using that to draw sympathy from people so that he can then gain a criminal enterprise," Captain Melanson said. "And, you know it obviously...just pushed it to another level."

Ramos-Cabrera got the uniform off the internet.

In court, he was given a $7,500 bond and will be back in court December 18th.

He has been charged with larceny and illegal use of a uniform.