Businesses swindled out of nearly $30,000
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By ELIZABETH HOCHSTEDLER
elizabeth.hochstedler@lee.net
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:40 AM CST
Burglaries at two Lake Hallie area business have resulted in nearly $30,000 of checks being stolen, forged and cashed.
Huffcutt Concrete, 4154 123rd St., has lost thousands in check fraud from the incident, Lake Hallie Police Chief Gale Haas said. The other affected business is Clearwater Cabinetry & Design, 4138 124th St. Both had burglaries on Dec. 11.
Chippewa Falls Police Chief Wayne Nehring said 30 checks were successfully cashed for a combined total of $29,492.27.
No suspects are in custody for the crimes, which appear to be linked, according to local law enforcement officials.
Huffcutt reported Friday that its business was broken into, possibly Thursday night. Clearwater reported the same thing on Saturday.
Both businesses reported blank checks were stolen.
On Saturday, the Northwestern Bank in Chippewa Falls, Cornell, LaFayette, Boyd and Thorp reported Hispanic males attempted 34 times by noon to cash checks from the businesses. When the men were questioned about the checks in Cornell and Thorp, they fled, leaving behind counterfeit IDs.
“Right now we are aware of five checks taken from these businesses that were passed in the city,” Chippewa Falls Police Chief Wayne Nehring said.
The Chippewa Falls Police Department log indicated up to five Hispanic males may be involved. Haas said they are likely not residents of the area.
"The suspects appear to be a small group (4-5 persons) of Hispanic males appearing to be 20-40 years of age. Members of the group presented fake identification cars when (submitting) the checks. The suspects are possibly traveling in new full size van being navy blue over silver in color. . . Various agencies in and around the Minneapolis-St. Paul area have reportedly experienced similar crimes," a press release from the Chippewa Falls Police Department said.
Huffcutt reported that during the day Thursday an Hispanic male entered the business asking directions to another area business.
Chippewa Falls and Lake Hallie police are sharing investigation duties on the case.
“We are taking the lead in the forgery part of the investigation,” said Nehring, adding that Lake Hallie is taking the lead on the burglary investigation.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Chippewa Falls Police at 723-4424.
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Hear the facts wrote on Dec 16, 2008 4:28 PM: