CELINA, Ohio (WLIO) — A New York man has been arrested after authorities say he attempted to steal money from bank accounts belonging to Mercer County residents.
Robert Cardidus, 54, has been charged with identity fraud.
According to the Celina Police Department, multiple financial institutions across Mercer County reported attempts to withdraw money from accounts using the identities of local residents.
Police say Cardidus was arrested in Fort Recovery after he attempted to use the name of a Celina resident at a bank.
Investigators also report that a woman in disguise attempted to use a stolen identity to gain access to a Celina resident’s account at a Celina bank.
Celina Police Chief Tom Wale says there could be additional accomplices involved in the incidents.
Authorities say Cardidus could face additional charges as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about the case or who has experienced fraudulent activity is encouraged to contact the Celina Police Department at 419-586-2345.
NEWS RELEASE FROM CELINA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Attempted Bank Fraud Investigation March 12, 2026
On Wednesday afternoon, March 11, 2026, the Celina Police Department investigated an attempted fraud at Peoples Bank located on W. Logan Street.
During the initial investigation, officers learned that a female suspect, wearing a disguise, attempted to obtain access to a local resident’s bank account by using a stolen identity. An alert bank employee recognized the suspicious activity and intervened before any funds were stolen.
While Celina Police were investigating this incident, three additional similar attempts were reported at financial institutions elsewhere in Mercer County. Information gathered during these reports indicated that a male and female suspect were involved, along with the possibility of additional accomplices.
At approximately 4:30 PM, the Fort Recovery Police Department received a report of similar suspicious activity at Park National Bank. Officers were able to obtain a description of a male suspect and subsequently located a subject matching that description on foot in the area. Officers stopped and detained the individual, who was later identified as 54-year-old Robert Candidus of New York. Investigators determined that Candidus had attempted to use the identity of a Celina resident.
Candidus was taken into custody by the Fort Recovery Police Department and charged with Identity Fraud, a Felony of the Fifth Degree. Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.
These incidents remain under investigation by the Celina Police Department. Anyone with information related to this case, or who may have experienced similar fraudulent activity, is encouraged to contact Detective A.J. Poppe at the Celina Police Department at 419-586-2345.
The Celina Police Department would like to thank the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Coldwater Police Department, Fort Recovery Police Department, St. Henry Police Department, the Grand Lake Task Force, and Mercer County Prosecutor Erin Minor for their assistance with the investigation.
