If you have ever had the opportunity to speak with Bristol Borough Police officer Mike Levitsky about his decades long career as a police officer and investigator for Montgomery County District Attorney’s office among the many other law enforcement agencies he’s served, he will tell you, if you’re inclined to ask, paper -chase chases bring out the best in him. He loves the challenge, he’s said.
Levitsky put his special paper chase skills to work recently after the mailbox on Mill St in front of Penn Community Bank was broken into during the early morning hours of January 29.
On Thursday February 13, 2025, Sgt. Palmer of Bristol Borough Police Dept was advised by Chief Joseph Moors of a walk-in report. Investigator Richard Cimakasky of Penn Community Bank reported someone broke in to the mailbox in front of Penn Community Bank on January 29, 2025 at 1:38 a.m. Cimakasky provided a thumb drive and still pictures of the incident. Cimakasky stated a white Dodge 4 door pulls up and subject uses key to open box. Subject takes the mail and places same in back seat of vehicle, takes the mail out, returns the tray and then drives away, according to the probable cause.
On March 4, 2025, Investigator Robert Zeplin of Citizens Bank opened an investigation into the loss of $25,996.81 from Citizens Bank involving a fraudulent (whitewashed) check of $27,397.59. The original bank check from Penn Community Bank #10863 was dated January 28, 2025, in the amount of $27,397.59, paid to the order of “LPL FBO (confidential information)”. The check, along with other mail was deposited into the USPS mailbox from Penn Community Bank on January 28, 2025, police said
Police reviewed additional video surveillance footage.
On January 29, 2025 at 1:37 a.m., a white 4 door Dodge charger with black roof and hood had entered Bristol Borough on Otter St. approaching Maple St.. At 1:38 a.m., the Dodge parks in front of Penn Community Bank, located at 118 Mill St., Bristol. The mailbox is located on sidewalk at the bank. A male dressed in black with white socks wearing slippers exited the vehicle and used a key to open the mailbox. This male takes the container out and places it in the right rear passenger seat. He goes through the mail and returns the container back to the mailbox. At 1:40 a.m., he leaves traveling to Radcliffe St. and onto Market St. At 1:41 a.m., the vehicle is traveling on Old Route 13 towards Otter St. License plate either missing or unable to be read through the Viper system, police said in court papers.
On February 3, 2025 at 9:28 p.m., the fraudulent Penn Community Bank check #10863 for $27,397.59 in the name of Jamal Rice was deposited into an account titled to Jamal T. Rice at the drive thru ATM located at Citizen’s Bank, 9042 Roosevelt Blvd. in Philadelphia by an unidentified black male wearing a mask operating a white Dodge Charger with black roof, temporary registration 4506-351. The bank check was altered (whitewashed) to the name of Jamal Rice, police wrote in court records.
On February 7, 2025, the check was returned as an fraudulent/altered document (whitewashed). The Citizen’s Bank account belonged to Jamal T. Rice of 1625 N. Bailey St in Philadelphia. His account was opened on December 7, 2024, at 11:24 a.m. at the Logan Branch of Citizens Bank #586, located at 4949 N. Broad St. in Philadelphia with a deposit of $100.00. Used to open the account was date of birth, Social Security Number, PA Driver’s License and Email for Jamal Rice. All belonging to Jamal T. Rice, the probable cause alleges.
Credit: Sunshine Foundation
Prior to the check being returned as fraudulent/altered (whitewashed), withdrawals were made from February 4, 2025, to February 6, 2025, by Rice;
- On February 4, 2025, at 11:15 a.m., at the Roxborough Branch of Citizens Bank with the signature of Jamal Rice withdrawing $3,000.00 Cash.
- On February 4, 2025, at 12:10 p.m., at the Logan Branch of Citizens Bank with the signature of Jamal Rice withdrawing of $3,000.00 Cash.
- On February 5, 2025 at 12:18 p.m., at the Lehigh Branch of Citizens Bank with the signature of Jamal Rice a withdrawal was made of $18,000.00.
- A Citizens Bank check was made payable for $15,000.00 to Jamal Rice and deposited into an account at JP Morgan Chase. The difference of $3,000 was paid to Rice in cash.
- On February 5, 2025, at 2:08 p.m., at the Logan Branch of Citizens Bank with the signature of Jamal Rice withdrawing of $2,000.00 Cash. All fraudulent withdrawals were made in person by Jamal T. Rice.
On April 16, 2025, Officer Levitsky spoke to the payee on the Penn Community Bank check #10863 for $27,397.59. The check was mailed by Penn Community Bank on January 28, 2025 in the mail box in front of Penn Community Bank. Payee never received the check. Citizens Bank and Penn Community Bank are the victims of alleged crime and suffering loss, police said.
Rice who will be 40 next Sunday, was taken into custody by Levitsky this past Friday is charged with four theft related felonies and two bad checks misdemeanors was arraigned by on-call District Judge Charles D. Jonas who set bail at 10 percent of $100,000.00. He is currently scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on May 21st.
“Officer Levitsky did an excellent job investigating this case ” said Chief of Police Joe Moors
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