Lincoln Police were called to the Liberty First Credit Union at 501 N 46th Street for a fraud investigation around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. The bank manager reported that a 29 year old woman was in the drive-thru trying to cash a $90 check without authorization. The bank teller was suspicious and called the account holder who stated he did not give a check to the woman.
The account holder said he was paying four bills by check and had put them in his home mailbox that morning. He learned that one of the checks written for $100 had already been cashed at a different Liberty First Credit Union location. That check also had been altered and was made out to the woman.
The suspect would not allow officers to search her vehicle so they obtained a warrant. Officers found all four envelopes that the man had placed in his mailbox along with the two remaining checks. Officers also found stolen items belong to people in surrounding communities.
When officers identified the woman they learned she was also wanted for a similar case reported on July 6th by First National Bank at 1501 N 84th Street. The 85 year old victim reported writing a check to the bank for $365 and putting it in her mailbox.
The woman was also wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Gage county for theft. She was cited and released for misdemeanor theft by deception and misdemeanor 2nd degree forgery.
Police recommend those paying bills by mail should use a secure mailbox instead of one at your home. That raised flag letting the postal carrier know there is mail inside also alerts thieves. Business owners should also consider a secured deposit box for after-hours bill drop off.