Two men accused of stealing checkbook, forging checks
Police seek suspects in church theft State police said they are searching for two men accused of stealing a checkbook from a Fayette County church and then forging multiple checks at businesses across the area. Trooper John S. Krause said police secured warrants Tuesday for the arrest of Mark Andrew Miller, 42, of Connellsville and Jason Geary, 22, of White.
According to Krause, the men stole a checkbook from the Church of Jesus Christ of Clinton in Normalville early this month.
Krause said the checkbook was stolen from an office desk inside the church.
The suspects then wrote checks out to each other and forged the signature of the church’s pastor, the Rev. Warren J. Upton.
The men then cashed the checks, Krause said.
Upton could not be reached for comment on the theft Wednesday.
Additionally, the men used the stolen checks to make purchase at Miller’s Grocery in Normalville, G&D Market in Melcroft, Resh’s General Store in Indian Head and Champion Service Center in Champion.
Krause said the men used the cash and checks to purchase food and cigarettes, spending more than $1,000.
The men were charged with forgery, theft by deception and receiving stolen property at the office of Magisterial District Judge Ronald J. Haggerty Sr.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call police at 724-439-7111.