Couple arrested at bank for fraud, heroin

A Kenner man and a woman from Destrehan were arrested by Slidell police Tuesday afternoon after they allegedly tried to withdraw cash from an account that had been tagged by law enforcement as being compromised. While searching the couple’s car, Slidell police found traces of heroin and drug paraphernalia that included over 100 used syringes.

Slidell police spokesman, Capt Kevin Foltz said the New Orleans Fireman Federal Credit Union on Gause Boulevard alerted police around 1 p.m. Tuesday after two people in the bank’s drive through lane tried to withdraw $400 from an account that had been flagged by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

When police arrived, they stopped the red Pontiac G6 from leaving the bank, after the bank teller told them the account had been reported compromised since Oct. 11.

Slidell police called up the owner of the account who lived in Metairie. The owner of the account told police her nephew had burglarized her home on Oct. 11, and stolen items that allowed him access to her bank account. Foltz said he did not know the nature of the stolen property. The burglary victim reported the crime to the JPSO.

Meanwhile the driver of the Pontiac, Jamie Sperando, 31, 143 Villere St., Destrehan told a police officer that she had rented the car, and showed police the rental agreement. However, when Slidell police checked out the ownership, they discovered the car had been reported stolen in Kenner on an unknown date.

The passenger in the Pontiac at first gave police a false name. Police found his driver’s license and identified him as Chad Galliano, 31, 2126 Indiana Ave., Kenner. Foltz said that Galliano was the nephew of the burglary victim in Metairie.

Both Galliano and Sperando were arrested because the car was reported stolen. While searching the car, police found about 100 used syringes, and five burnt spoons, which are used to cook and inject heroin. Officers found the paraphernalia all over the car, including the trunk.

“Everywhere they looked, they found needles,” Foltz said.

Police performed a field test on the syringes and spoons and one of the needles tested positive for heroin, Foltz said.

Galliano was charged with identity theft, monetary instrument abuse, forgery, bank fraud, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest. Sperando was charged with identity theft, monetary instrument abuse, forgery, bank fraud, possession of heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both suspects were booked and taken to the St. Tammany Parish Jail, where they both remain under a $59, 250 bond each.

Foltz said each suspect could face up to 56 years in prison, or a $1.14 million fine, or both.