Chase Bank in Arcata reports attempted forgery

Pair of Eureka men attempted to cash stolen checks from closed account

Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/8/09

Arcata

A pair of young men from Eureka are in the county jail after attempting to pass stolen and forged checks at the Arcata branch of Chase Bank on Thursday.

Arcata Police Department officers responded to the bank, formerly a branch of Washington Mutual, after employees reported that Christopher Barto, 26, and Jeremiah Jones, 29, were in possession of checks which had been stolen in Arcata.

APD officers contacted the men, who bank tellers alleged had forged the checks. Bank officials also determined that at least one other check had been passed at the Chase branch in Eureka, originating from a WaMu account which had been closed.

According to the APD release, the owner of the account has been contact and has reported the theft, while officers continue to work with other local agencies in the investigation to seek other suspects.

In addition to the forgery and possession of stolen property charges against both men, Barto was also found to be in possession of heroin, according to APD sergeant Dave Brown. They were transported to county jail and booked without incident.