FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Caitlin Mota

PHONE: (201) 577-6699

EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org

DATE: Thursday, April 28, 2023

TWO CHARGED WITH THEFT FROM UNION CITY BUSINESS

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit arrested two individuals following an investigation that over $300,000 was reported stolen from a Union City business.

Angelica Morales Fuentes, 30, and Hector Ortiz, 39, both of North Bergen, are charged with Theft by Deception in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4, a crime of the second degree and Conspiracy in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a crime of the second degree. Morales Fuentes is additionally charged with Computer Criminal Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-25c, a crime of the second degree. Both were arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City and released on a summons following their first court appearances.

The investigation found that Morales Fuentes accessed the payroll system of a Union City-based staffing company, created multiple fictitious employee accounts, and diverted wages into a joint bank account she shared with Ortiz. Approximately $349,000 was stolen from the business between August 2019 and November 2022.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Special Investigations Unit with the investigation and arrests. The above charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)