Local & State Headlines

APD probing fake check-cashing spree

• Warrants have been filed against a woman believed to have passed phony checks in Albany.

J.D. Sumner

ALBANY — At least 15 fake checks have been cashed at convenience stores and businesses across the city in what investigators call a deliberate effort to defraud area businesses, authorities said.

At least six women have cashed the fake checks using bogus IDs, Albany Police spokesperson Phyllis Banks said Friday. Investigators believe that women have stolen between $6,000 and $7,000, Banks said.

“They’re going around using fake names and fake IDs to get these check cashed,” Banks said. “But apparently one of the women used her real name, because when the investigators ran it through the system it came back on file so warrants have been issued for her.”

Forgery warrants have been filed against Brittany Denise Padilla, who investigators believe may be living in East Point.

Banks said that beginning on March 28, the group passed the fake checks at area businesses on at least four different days.

“We’re just advising business owners who cash checks to take a closer look at the checks and the IDs and to be alert for possible fakes,” Banks said.

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