Anthony S. Theel, 37, Waupaca, is charged with uttering a forgery and attempted uttering.
On March 14, Waupaca Police Officer Nicole Hahn met with a man who had allowed Theel to stay in his apartment. The man said his bank informed him that Theel had cashed a $300 check on his account. At least two checks were missing.
According to the criminal complaint, Theel’s girlfriend told Hahn that Theel had cashed checks for the man they were staying with. She reportedly said the man would sign the checks and Theel would fill out the rest.
The man then told the girlfriend to leave his apartment and never return.
On March 25, Theel met with Detective Sgt. Brian Hoelzel to report that a guitar had been stolen. When Hoelzel asked Theel about the missing checks, Theel denied stealing the checks.
According to the criminal complaint, Theel said the man became intoxicated one night, and he persuaded him to sign two of the checks and admitted to cashing one of them.
On March 31, Weyauwega Police Sgt. Brandon Leschke met with staff at BMO Harris Bank. They said Theel came to the bank on March 4, pulled up to the third lane farthest from the drive-through window and presented a $300 check and valid ID to a less experienced teller who cashed it. A woman was allegedly in the passenger’s seat.
The following day, Theel returned and attempted to cash a $500 check, but the teller refused due to suspicion of fraud.