Investigators Seek Additional Victims in Check Forgery Scheme Targeting Check Cashing Businesses NR25075ti/lg

Los Angeles: Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division (CCD), Metropolitan Financial Section (MFS), are alerting the check-cashing business community about suspects involved in a check forgery scheme targeting businesses in the Jefferson Park and Hyde Park communities. Due to the nature of the crimes, detectives are also seeking additional victims.

On February 19, 2025, around 9:30 a.m., two suspects entered a check-cashing location near the 6400 block of West Boulevard. The clerk recognized that the checks were counterfeit and called the police. Responding officers confirmed the checks were both counterfeit and forged, leading to the arrest of 45-year-old Gabriel Garcia Sevilla for 470(a) PC – Forgery. His booking number is 6771114.

The second suspect fled the scene. CCD detectives investigated and positively identified the second suspect as 42-year-old Rafael Gomez Zepeda of Los Angeles. An arrest warrant is pending.

Detectives discovered that Garcia and Zepeda had victimized other check-cashing businesses in the Hyde and Jefferson Park communities between November 7, 2024, and February 19, 2025, incurring a total loss of $10,000. They used the aliases Juan Nabarro and Raul Medina.”

Video of the incident can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/ye-_Z4k1ZNI?si=eL7tr3sLO1EuzmiD

Suspect Gabriel Garcia Seville               Suspect Rafael Gomez Zepeda

This investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call Commercial Crimes Division, Detective Juan Campos at 213-486-5995 or email him at 31480@LAPD.online. During non-business hours or weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.