Vernon Detectives Charge Man With More than 70 Counts of Fraud

A man who Vernon detectives said has a long history of fraud is facing a boatload of more charges, Vernon detectives said.

Robert W. Gross, 59, was taken into custody on Tuesday, Vernon detectives said. He has no current address, but is considered a Vernon resident, police said. He is already in custody at the Hartford correctional facility, police said.

Gross has been charged with:

• 72 counts of credit card fraud.
• 72 counts of second-degree forgery.
• 72 counts of second-degree identity theft.
• Third-degree larceny.

Vernon detectives said that Gross has a long history of fraud and has preyed on female real estate agents.

In the latest case against him, he posed as a man who inherited a large sum of money. He had been inquiring about purchasing a large waterfront home where he could keep a boat and a race horse, Vernon detectives said.

He had been shopping for homes in Connecticut, Vernon detectives said. Gross was able to steal credit card information and checks from a real estate agent while looking at homes and use them fraudulently, Vernon detectives said.

He was able able to temporarily drive away with a car purchased in Rhode island with a stolen check written for more than $10,000, Vernon detectives said. In Vernon, he rented hotel rooms and purchased food, among other things, police said. 

Vernon detectives said such a routine is consistent with the practices of Gross in the past. This time around, the agent discovered the missing fianncial instruments after returning from some time abroad, Vernon detectives said.

More charges are expected, police said.