FBI arrests first suspect on ‘most wanted fraudsters’ list
Bill Essayli, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, appeared on ‘Saturday in America’ to talk about the government’s intensified efforts against fraud. He detailed the recent spate of arrests connected to a massive scheme in which suspects are accused of defrauding hundreds of millions of dollars.
In a separate case in California, two men face accusations of stealing over $100,000 in goods, including tools, copper wire, and vehicles. Remarkably, authorities report that the suspects documented their alleged crimes by taking selfies during their burglary spree.
The stated thefts took place at a business located in American Canyon on July 6, as confirmed by the American Canyon Police Department.
Police responded to an emergency call reporting a burglary in the 1100 block of Green Island Road, swiftly arriving on the scene to investigate.
Daniel Lemas and Dennis Tylij have been apprehended in relation to the burglary in American Canyon. Investigators indicated that alleged photographic evidence, including selfies, were recovered to support the charges. (American Canyon Police Department)
Investigators identified two vehicles connected to the burglary and shared the information with neighboring law enforcement agencies.
The following day, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office stopped one of the vehicles and detained the driver, who was identified as Daniel Lemas, 53, of Hayward.
Police said evidence recovered during the investigation included selfie photographs allegedly showing Lemas committing the burglary.
Police said this selfie photograph allegedly shows Daniel Lemas committing a burglary that resulted in more than $100,000 worth of tools, copper wire and vehicles being stolen. (American Canyon Police Department)
Lemas was arrested on charges of burglary and booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections on multiple felony charges stemming from the investigation.
On July 8, the Hayward Police Department stopped the second vehicle connected to the burglary and detained the driver, identified as 49-year-old Dennis Tylij of Hayward.
After responding to the scene, American Canyon police arrested Tylij, who was booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections on a felony conspiracy charge.
American Canyon police said alleged selfie photographs taken during a burglary helped investigators identify Daniel Lemas and Dennis Tylij, who are accused of stealing more than $100,000 worth of tools, copper wire and vehicles. (American Canyon Police Department)
Investigators later executed a search warrant at a home in the 3200 block of Arden Road in Hayward, where they recovered some of the stolen property.
According to The California Post, Lemas has since posted $25,000 bail and was released from custody, while Tylij remains jailed.