The Secret Service is investigating a burglary at the Spartan Ram Jack foundation repair company in Arnold where checks reportedly were stolen. At least one of the stolen checks was cashed for $650, Arnold Police reported.
The company’s general manager reported a man had been at the business, on Oct. 26 to discuss working at Spartan. While the man was at the business, he went in and out of restricted areas multiple times, the report said.
The general manger called police at about 7:45 a.m. Oct. 27 when he was notified that someone fraudulently cashed a check from the business for $650 and tried to cash another one for $1,375, according to the report.
The Secret Service contacted Arnold Police investigators after Illinois State Police reported the check-cashing scheme, Detective Cpl. Josh Wineinger said.
As of Nov. 3, the suspect had not been identified, but Wineinger said investigators believe the man who allegedly stole the checks may have a connection to a former Spartan employee who is suspected of stealing a company credit card and using it at multiple locations in June.
Wineinger said a 35-year-old Centreville, Ill., man allegedly used the stolen credit card to purchase $6,345.47 worth of items at Walmart stores in Arnold, Ferguson, Maplewood, St. Louis, Shrewsbury and Illinois. He said Arnold Police have applied for charges against the former Spartan employee through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for felony stealing and fraudulent use of a credit device.
As of Nov. 3, the Centreville, Ill., man had not been charged in Jefferson County, but Wineinger said if he is connected to the man suspected in the recent Arnold burglary and check-cashing scheme, then the case may be prosecuted in federal court.