Lawrence Man Arrested in Stolen Check Ring, Over 75 Checks Recovered
A Lawrence man has been arrested by Salem police after attempting to pass a washed check at Santander Bank. The incident led to the discovery of his involvement in a larger stolen check ring. Axel Rodriguez, 22, was apprehended and will face arraignment in Rockingham County Superior Court on November 2.
The arrest followed a call from the bank reporting a suspicious individual trying to use a fraudulent check. Rodriguez left the bank in a Mercedes Benz but was apprehended by a Salem officer on Granite Avenue. Upon investigation, four personal checks were recovered, two of which had been washed, meaning the original payee and amount were removed and replaced with different information.
Further examination led to the discovery that Rodriguez possessed a significant number of stolen personal checks, numbering over 75, in his impounded car. These checks had been written by various account holders over the past week, intended for different individuals and businesses. It is believed that the checks were stolen and intercepted within the U.S. Postal Service system during transit.
Authorities have identified affected check holders residing throughout the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. Salem detectives are in the process of contacting these account holders to inform them that their payments, which they believed had been made, never reached the intended recipients.
In addition to the stolen checks, law enforcement also recovered counterfeit U.S. currency and a chemical used to wash checks. The investigation into this case remains ongoing, with authorities anticipating further charges. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Detective Mike Geha at the Salem Police Department.
The discovery of this stolen check ring highlights the importance of safeguarding personal financial documents and staying vigilant against fraudulent activity. Authorities advise individuals to monitor their accounts regularly, report any suspicious transactions promptly, and notify law enforcement of any potential identity theft or fraudulent schemes.
As the investigation continues, the Salem Police Department will work diligently to ensure justice is served and that the victims of this stolen check ring receive the necessary support and assistance.
