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Forty-seven business account checks reported stolen from three Salina businesses have been forged and cashed at area banks by eight Hispanic men who might have been working together, Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski said today. Total loss reported so far is more than $40,400. The men are believed to have more checks in their possession, Kochanowski said.

Eighty-two checks were stolen from Bamford Fire Sprinkler Co., 1383 W. North; 100 checks from Stevens Contractors, 422 E. Avenue A; and 24 checks were taken from Lee Haworth Construction Co., 348 E. Avenue A. It is believed the checks were taken between June 15 and June 22.

So far, $23,227.62 has been forged on Lee Haworth checks; $16,336.37 on Stevens Contractors, and $900.80 on Bamford Fire Sprinkler checks.

The checks have been cashed at Sunflower Bank branches, Bennington State Bank branches and Speedy Cash in Salina. Checks have also been cashed in Ellsworth, Abilene and McPherson.

The sheriff’s office is requesting assistance from the public in identifying the men who passed the stolen forged checks.

Kochanowski said it is not clear how the men obtained the checks, as none of the businesses had reported break-ins. He said someone might have gone into the businesses acting like they were seeking employment and stolen checks while unobserved or scoped out a way of going back to steal the checks.

He said the sheriff’s office is working with state and federal agencies to determine if the men have committed similar crimes in other locations.

Kochanowski asks that anyone who has any information as to the identity of any of the eight men or has had recent contact with them call the sheriff’s office, 826-6500, or Crimestoppers, 825-TIPS.

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