A member of the New York State National Guard has been arrested for fraudulently soliciting money from residents in Bethlehem and Colonie, according to police.
Robert Conde, 20, of Albany was arrested after he allegedly went door-to-door in his military uniform asking residents for money to support U.S. troops, according to police. Conde collected both cash and checks, and then used the funds himself.
Police said Conde is a member of the state National Guard stationed in Auburn, NY. Police said they have investigated about six complaints from residents concerning an unknown amount of money.
Conde was charged with scheming to defraud, a felony, and misdemeanor counts of petit larceny, fraudulent accosting, official misconduct, and receiving unlawful gratuities, according to police. He was arraigned in Bethlehem Town Court and remanded to Albany County Jail in lieu of $35,000 bail.
Police said Conde is due back in court on Tuesday, April 3.
Police are asking anyone who may have been contacted by Conde to call Bethlehem police at 439-9973.
