714-997-4400Two men have been arrested on suspicion of creating counterfeit checks, using them to buy goods at home improvement stores then reselling the items for cash.
The two men, resident of Anaheim and Santa Ana, were arrested Thursday after Los Alamitos and Buena Park police detectives found equipment used to create counterfeit checks during a search of their homes, police said.
Officials from Los Alamitos began investigating the men about three weeks ago after retailers including Home Depot, Ganahl Lumber and Office Depot reported the crimes, police Capt. Bruce McAlpine said.
Investigators said they believe the men created checks using the names of existing businesses and used them to purchase goods totaling an estimated $30,000. This amount could change while the investigation is still underway.Police said they would take the goods purchased with the checks and pawn them later for cash. They were arrested on suspicion of burglary, forgery and narcotics possession. During the search, officers said they found about 15 grams of methamphetamine and evidence of paperwork used to steal identities. Police said $3,500 worth of Home Depot property was also recovered and returned to corporate authorities.
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