An Artesia man was arrested Friday after cashing one fraudulent check at a local grocery store and attempting to cash a second.
On Thursday, Artesia Police Department officers were dispatched to Fenn’s Country Market in reference to the cashing of a fraudulent check.
Fenn’s employees told police a male individual, identified as David Daniel Aguilar, 25, of Artesia, had entered the store and presented a check in the amount of $450, which he claimed he had received as reimbursement from Artesia General Hospital.
A store manager noticed the check did not look like others he had seen from Artesia General, contacted the hospital, and was subsequently informed the account number listed on the check did not belong to the hospital or Wells Fargo Bank.
On Friday, officers were called back to Fenn’s in reference to a return trip by Aguilar, who was attempting to cash another fraudulent check in the amount of $800 at the customer service desk.
The check – which was purported to have been issued from Lovelace Regional Hospital – had the name of that entity misspelled, and when the manager involved attempted to enter the account and routing numbers, the computer advised the check was fake.
According to the criminal complaint, Aguilar told police the check was for “reimbursement of services” but was unable to explain for what he was being reimbursed.
Aguilar was placed under arrest, and during a routine search of his person, drug paraphernalia and marijuana were found.
He was subsequently booked on charges of forgery ($2,500 or less), possession, deliver or manufacture of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana (under 1 ounce). Aguilar was also charged with fraud ($250-$500) for cashing a fraudulent check the day before.
He is scheduled to appear for a 9 a.m. Dec. 19 pre-trial conference before Judge Daniel Reyes Jr. in Artesia Magistrate Court.
