Police: Former employee stole checks from Ann Arbor restaurant, cashed them at party stores

By Kyle Feldscher Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.

A 24-year-old Ann Arbor man faces accusations he stole checks from the Prickly Pear Southwest Café in downtown Ann Arbor and cashed them at local party stores.

Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush said the man is a former employee of the store who was fired. The man is accused of stealing and cashing checks worth approximately $830 at two different Ann Arbor party stores and is now facing five counts of uttering and publishing and forgery for each check, Bush said.

Prickly Pear Southwest Cafe in downtown Ann Arbor.

AnnArbor.com file photo

The checks were first reported stolen on May 31, but the report was delayed, Bush said. The investigation wrapped up when a warrant was approved on Monday, records show.

Bush said the man is accused of cashing the checks at Diag Party Store and Main Street Party Store. Four of the charges — two each of uttering and publishing and forgery — come from the checks cashed at Diag Party Store and six of the charges — three each of uttering and publishing and forgery — come from the checks cashed at Main Street Party Store.

The man has not been arrested and has not been arraigned on any charges, according to records. AnnArbor.com will release his name when he is formally charged.

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