PALESTINE, Ill. - Palestine Police Chief Jeff Besing has issued info about an incident that occurred in the village this past month involving a guy and allegedly bad checks.
It began last month, when on January 29, 2019 Chief Besing was advised of a financial scam by Robinson Police Department Officer Gabe Lowrance involving a male subject who had cashed a "bogus" fraudulent check at the Palestine First Robinson Savings Bank. Officer Lowrance advised that the same male suspect attempted to cash a similar check at the First Robinson Savings Main branch bank on the same date.
As the result of the investigation by Chief Besing and Officer Lowrance, Chief Besing filed a criminal complaint with the Crawford County States' Attorney Matthew Hartrich requesting for an arrest warrant for the male suspect.
On February 24, 2019, the suspect, identified as James J. Peterson, 35 of Terre Haute, Indiana, was arrested in Vigo County, Indiana and extradited back to Crawford County Jail.
Peterson was charged with Forgery and Theft over $500, both felony counts, and is currently being held in the Crawford County Jail.