Deputies release a picture of suspects in a counterfeit check investigation
By Roxanne Werly
Friday, October 23, 2009 at 1:45 p.m.
Read more: Local, Crime
Law enforcement in more than half a dozen counties are trying to catch a couple cashing fake checks. Now they hope the public can help by releasing surveillance pictures.
The checks have been cashed in Kalkaska, Otsego, Grand Traverse and Wexford Counties. Officials say the suspects appear to be the same two people responsible for the same kind of crime across the easting Upper Peninsula.
The checks are made payable to Matt Simmons on Cass Rd. in Traverse City. Deputies say the only change to the documents is an increase by one digit in the check number. The checks are blue in color and drawn on a non-existing Citizens Bank checking account. Each check is written in the amount of $285.71.
The suspects do not produce identification, however, each check is endorsed with the same fictitious driver's license number and signature. All have been passed during the purchase of a small amount of groceries and the suspects walk away with the difference.
