Man Arrested for Attempted Bank Fraud in Grand Junction

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Grand Junction Police Department arrested 28-year-old Victor Escalona on Wednesday for allegedly attempting to open a bank account using false identification and stolen checks at Alpine Bank in Grand Junction, Colorado. Escalona was charged with multiple fraud-related offenses after bank personnel reported the suspicious activity to the authorities.

Why it matters

Bank fraud and identity theft are serious crimes that can have significant financial and legal consequences for both individuals and financial institutions. This arrest highlights the importance of banks and businesses being vigilant in reporting suspicious activity to help law enforcement intervene and limit potential losses.

The details

According to the police report, officers were dispatched to Alpine Bank around 1:50 p.m. on Wednesday after the bank reported a fraud in progress. During the investigation, officers found that Escalona had allegedly attempted to open a new bank account using false identification cards, documents, and stolen checks. Bank personnel also informed the police that Escalona was believed to be associated with prior fraud activity and a series of stolen checks.

• The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 12, 2026 around 1:50 p.m.

What’s next

Escalona was transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility and the case remains under investigation by the GJPD. No further details about the incident or Escalona's charges have been released at this time.