One arrested, two suspects sought in $10,00 checking cashing scheme

Arrest12KINGWOOD, W.Va. — One person is in custody and police are searching for two other suspects accused in a fraudulent check cashing scheme.

Charles Thomas Lewis, 48, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was arrested in Reedsville on one count of uttering and one count of false pretenses.

Lewis told Preston County deputies two unidentified men promised him payment for cashing four fraudulent checks in Monongalia and Preston Counties since August 10.

The checks totaled more than $10,000 and were written from a Morgantown business account.

Clear Mountain Bank workers notified police of a man attempting to cash a check for $2,944.62 Monday, Aug. 24. Lewis took off when tellers told him the check would take time to clear.
It’s bank policy to check with business owners before cashing some checks. The process reaffirmed the check was not legitimate. Lewis was arrested along Route 7 in Preston County.

Further charges are pending against Lewis who admitted to cashing checks at 3 Morgantown banks and a bank in Bruceton Mills.

Investigators are looking for two black men who may be driving a late model, charcoal gray, Chevrolet Tahoe.

Anyone who may have seen the suspects is asked to contact Sergeant J.H. Bryan at 304-329-1611.

Lewis was being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $35,000 bond.