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Thursday, March 19, 2009

Woman Arrested For Theft Of Checks – Stolen From Mailbox

Woman Arrested for Theft of Checks – Stolen from Mailbox

Released Thursday, March 19, 2009

Georgetown – The Delaware State Police have arrested a 40-year-old Georgetown woman for theft and forgery charges after she had stolen checks from mailboxes of a 67-year-old Georgetown man and a 64-year-old Georgetown man, both whom reside on Johnson Road in Georgetown.

The investigation began on March 17 after the first victim contacted police to report he had written a check in the sum of $350.00 to a business in Wicomico County for a personal expenditure. After not receiving confirmation from the county that they received the check, he became concerned because his bank records indicated the check had posted and cleared with the funds removed from his account. He contacted the bank, obtained a copy of the check, and learned it had been altered with the new payee listed as Tynise Adkins and not Wicomico County.

The second victim, who is a neighbor to the first victim, also experienced a similar account. He had written a check to Verizon in the sum of $35.02 on February 14, 2009. He later learned the Verizon account had not been paid, however funds were withdrawn from his personal bank account. An obtained copy of this check revealed it too was altered to be payable to Tynise Adkins for the sum of $235.02.

Investigators successfully obtained records from the banks that indicated a Delaware ID number and a date of birth from the woman who cashed the checks, both identifying Adkins as the culprit. Troopers obtained arrest warrants for Adkins and yesterday they responded to her residence on Tracey Street in Georgetown and took her into custody without incident.

She was charged with one count of felony Theft, one count of misdemeanor Theft and two counts of felony Forgery. She was released on a $5000.00 unsecured bond. Investigators believe there could be additional victims and are asking for anyone that may have been victimized in a similar fashion to contact Fraud detectives at Troop 4 at 302.855.5860.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

everyone knows not to put checks for payment in your mailbox (and put the flag up).

Take checks to the post office and drop them there. It is a bit risky to put something in your mailbox of any value that you want to actually make it to someone you owe money to.

I know it sounds like we live in a terrible world, but it is just common sense not to put signed checks in your mailbox (regardless of what town you live in)

Anonymous said...

Another point, and I am not sure if this would happen a lot, but to all who don't have normal garbage pick up and take your's to the local dump site...
Please invest in a cheap paper shredder. Some people go to the local dumps sites for things like old furniture...etc. But if you have a bag of trash there with bills or notices, they can also get your personal information and possibility use YOUR account for their own means.