Police Look for Forgery Suspects
By: Lisa Carr
Updated: December 2, 2008
'Tis the season for giving, but also for taking. Tonight Lubbock police search for two people who stole checks from someone and tried to pass them off as their own at a local grocery store. Police say forgery is an all too common crime here in Lubbock, but they have some tips to make sure you don't become the next victim. Police say dozens of forgery cases come through their office each month and they're expecting the problem could get even worse as the holidays get closer and we stay in this economic recession so, tonight they're warning people to be extra careful about where you keep your check books and other money.
Two of the latest suspects, accused of forgery, were caught on camera using stolen checks. Both incidents happened at the United on the Marsha Sharp Freeway about two weeks apart. One in mid October. The other in early November. Police say forgers usually steal the checks during vehicle burglaries so, they recommend always keeping your car locked and clean. They say when a thief sees a messy car they assume something valuable is mixed in with all the clutter. Sgt. Ferguson with the LPD says there is also something you can do to make it harder for a thief to forge your checks, if they manage to steal them.
He says, "When you're getting your checks printed, don't put your driver's license or I.D. number on your check because that right there provides an implication that it is your check to use. So, if you have to provide the information to the clerk for the I.D. then they know it's your check."
If you recognize the suspects in the surveillance video, you should call the Crimeline at 741-1000. You can remain anonymous.
