THOMSON --- Two Augusta men face forgery charges in a stolen check scheme that left a trail of victims from Thomson to Augusta.
The case began unraveling Tuesday with the arrests of Abram Reese, 45, of the 3600 block of London Street, and Jeff Fairley, 43, of Champions Pine Road, according to Thomson Police Lt. Scott Whittle.
A merchant told police the men were inside his Sears store off Main Street trying to pass fraudulent checks. The business was also the target of the scam Sunday when between $1,200 and $1,500 in merchandise was bought with stolen checks. The suspects attempted at least two other scams there before police were notified, authorities say.
Mr. Reese was charged with six counts of first-degree forgery and more than 30 counts of second-degree forgery, Lt. Whittle said. Mr. Fairley was charged with three counts of second-degree forgery. The two are being held in McDuffie County.
Investigators from McDuffie, Richmond and Columbia counties and officers with Fort Gordon's Criminal Investigation Division want to talk to the suspects about similar crimes in their jurisdictions, Lt. Whittle said. Additional charges are expected, more arrests could be made, he said.
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