Crime & Safety

Forked River Man Charged With Stealing And Cashing Checks

$1,800 in stolen checks cashed, police chief says


by Patricia A. Miller

A five-week investigation into a fraud report has culminated in the arrest of a Forked River man charged with forgery, uttering a forged instrument and theft by deception, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

The investigation began on May 27, when Patrolman John Simonson responded to the 900 block of Capstan Drive in Forked River on a fraud report, the chief said.

The victim told police that several checks were stolen from his residence and later cashed at a local bank in May 2014. The total cash received at the bank is estimated at $1,800, Paprota said.

Simonson’s investigation led to the July 8 arrest of Michael A. Ragusa, 39, with a last known address on Pine Tree Drive in Forked River. He was taken to police headquarters and processed. His bail was set at $50,000, the chief said.

Ragusa also had an outstanding Berkeley Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $350. Ragusa was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in default of bail, Paprota said.


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