Lincoln Police make arrests in a months long forgery investigation.
On August 20th, a victim reported he noticed his bank account balance was depleted so he called his bank. Employees found that several checks had been written on his account. Two of the checks totaled around $1,200 and were deposited into a Midwest Bank Account. An employee at Midwest Bank reported the checks were deposited into an account and then several withdrawals were made immediately following. The checks later were returned and the bank lost an estimated $1.100. The woman who owned the account indicated that a friend, 29 year old James Crihfield had asked to deposit and withdraw money using her account as he did not have a bank account of his own.
On August 28th, police were informed that two checks were passed at the U-Stop at 47th and Normal Blvd that were later found to be forged on checks that had been stolen. Video evidence identified the person responsible as 29 year old James Crihfield. Midwest Bank also reported that an account had been opened by Crihfield using the same account that was used in in the U-Stop case. The check was written for $600 but the bank put a hold on the check. The bank also reported the incident after receiving an alert from Lincoln Police about Crihfield’s forgery activities.
On September 3rd, Liberty First Credit Union at 5101 N 27th Street called police after a man came in to open an account using a check that was later found to belong to a man who was deceased. Officers contacted the man while still in the bank. 37 year old Robin Dennis reported he had been accompanied to the bank by Crihfield who was no longer on location. Police found a backpack on Dennis that contained 15 forged checks belonging to different victims and made out to several individuals. Several of the checks were made out to Dennis and Crihfield. Officers also found several used syringes and a wrapper containing meth residue. Dennis was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, forgery and possession of a forgery instrument.
On September 3rd, just before midnight, police found Crihfield in a hotel parking lot at 2900 NW 12th Street. Crihfield gave officers a false name and a search turned up several used syringes that tested positive for meth. Crihfield was also found to be wanted for two forgery charges related to checks written at the U Stop at 240 N 17th Street in July. Crihfield was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, providing false information and on two counts of forgery.
Investigators also determined that Crihfield had opened an account at Union Bank with six forged checks totaling over $3,300. he then withdrew money from the account leaving Union Bank with a $2,600 loss. First National Bank indicated that Crihfield had also opened a branch using a forged check that belonged to a deceased couple. The check was written for almost $1,000 and two withdrawals were made on the account. The bank lost almost $500.
At this time, Crihfield has been arrested for four counts of theft by deception and four additional counts of forgery.
James Crihfield Robin Dennis