A counterfeit check ring which bilked businesses out of as much as $8,000 has been broken, Roanoke Rapids police said this afternoon.
After two arrests, three other people who have not been arrested, but have warrants on them, are being sought.
“Basically what we have is a group of individuals who had access to company checks,” Roanoke Rapids Detective Bobby Martin said.
The ring was targeting businesses throughout Halifax, Warren, Northampton and Vance counties, Martin said, using the information on what were once legitimate checks acquired through prior employment and other means and making copies of them to cash as payroll checks. “They would regenerate their own payroll using certain information off the legitimate checks and then passing them off.”
As of this report, the ring made between $5,000 and $8,000, but with other checks thought to be outstanding that number could rise to the $10,000 mark, Martin said.
The runners going to businesses not only made purchases, cashing the checks to make payment.
Martin said the scheme has been ongoing for at least three to four months.
Captain Andy Jackson said investigation began the last part of October.
Alston
Police have arrested Tonya Anstead and Christian Patrice Alston of Huckleberry Bottom Road, charging her with five counts possession of counterfeit instruments, five counts of conspiracy to commit felony larceny and one count of obtaining property by false pretense. She was arrested by Deputy Brian Biggerstaff of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office, which is also investigating the matter. She was jailed on $10,000 bond.
Conyers remains at large.
Police are trying to locate Tyrone Conyers Jr., whose last known address was 144 Sugarberry Lane, Roanoke Rapids. Conyers had been arrested in connection with motor vehicle break-ins last week but made bond, police said. He faces charges of possession of a counterfeit instrument, obtain property by false pretense, forgery and uttering and conspiracy to commit felony larceny.
Investigators with the city and sheriff's office continue to seek Joshua Jackson, who faces motor vehicle break-in charges from the county in the same case involving Conyers. In the counterfeit check ring he faces charges of forgery of checks, uttering forged instruments, possession of a counterfeit instrument, conspire to commit felony larceny, counterfeiting checks and obtain property pretense.
Charmain Perry, of the Gaston area, who has not been located, faces charges of forgery, uttering a forged instrument, obtain property by false pretense and conspiracy to commit felony larceny.
In the wake of the scheme, Jackson said businesses can safeguard themselves by following some established guidelines.
Check for smooth edges and lightweight paper as smooth edges indicate a check may have been printed off a computer. “Most legitimate checks have at least one perforated side and check stock is heavier than copier paper.”
It is important to check logos and addresses. “Make sure the bank logo isn't faded or fuzzy. If it's fuzzy, it's a good sign it's been downloaded or photocopied.”
Jackson said some of the checks had typos or misspellings. He said to check the magnetic ink character line at the bottom of the check. Those numbers should be dull and not shiny.
“Look at the signature. If you see stains, gaps or a digitized appearance, it could be forged,” Jackson said.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the three sought is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.
