GRAND JUNCTION, CO — A 28-year-old man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after attempting to open a fraudulent bank account in downtown Grand Junction.
At approximately 1:50 p.m. on February 11, 2026, officers responded to Alpine Bank at 225 N. 5th Street for a report of fraud in progress. Bank personnel alerted police that a man in the lobby was attempting to open an account and was believed to be associated with prior stolen checks.
Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect, Victor Escalona, and found him in possession of false identification cards, documents, and stolen checks.
Escalona was arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on numerous charges, including:
- Theft ($20,000-$100,000)
- Identity Theft
- Forgery (Two Counts)
- Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument
- Conspiracy
The investigation is ongoing. Police credit the timely reporting by bank staff for helping intervene quickly.