A pair of Oklahoma City men could face felony charges after a joint investigation involving the Houston Police Department.
HPD chief Jim McNiell reported the case involved several checks from the Houston Do-It Center that had been passed in Ada, Okla.
McNiell said investigation by himself and authorities in Ada led to the conclusion the checks were reproductions.
Two checks were passed at each of two Landmark Banks in Ada. In each instance, one was made out to a 50-year-old man and the other to a 28-year-old man. In both instances, one check was for $2,924.21 and the other was for $2,866.75, but the men’s names were reversed in each attempted transaction.
McNiell said all four checks bore the resemblance of a Do It Center official’s signature, and the scheme likely began as a result of a legitimate check sent by the Houston firm to a metals company in Fort Gibson, Okla.
McNiell said the suspects made multiple glaring mistakes in writing out their reproductions, and they used their actual driver’s licenses as ID at the first bank, where they successfully cashed checks.
While attempting to cash checks at the second bank, the suspects reportedly got spooked and left, McNiell said, and they haven’t yet been located.
The HPD has copies of the allegedly fraudulent checks. A report was sent to the Texas County Prosecuting attorney, but prosecution could take place in Ada.