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They look like clerks checks, but they're fake

By TIMES WIRES
Published December 30, 2006

PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICIALS WERE INVESTIGATING A DOZEN INSTANCES SINCE DEC. 22 IN WHICH PEOPLE HAVE CASHED FRAUDULENT CHECKS THAT APPEARED TO BE FROM THE COUNTY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT'S OFFICE. SO FAR, THE SCAMMERS HAVE STOLEN $10,864, OFFICIALS SAID. WHEN A CHECKSMART CASHIER GOT SUSPICIOUS AND CALLED THE CLERK'S OFFICE, A WOMAN PRESENTING A PHONY CHECK RAN AWAY. THE CHECKS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CREATED ON A LASER PRINTER, BUT THEY HAVE DIFFERENT FEATURES THAN THE CLERK'S OFFICIAL CHECKS. "THESE PEOPLE ARE REALLY BRAZEN," CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT KEN BURKE SAID FRIDAY. "THEY'RE USING BLATANTLY FALSE ADDRESSES AND STEALING LARGE AMOUNTS." AMSCOT FELL VICTIM TO FIVE OF THE 12 PHONY CHECKS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHECKS CAN CALL DETECTIVE ROB SOMERS AT (727) 582-6346 OR CRIME STOPPERS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-873-8477.

Scooter driver injured in crash

The driver of a scooter was seriously injured about 12:30 p.m. Friday after being hit by a car, Pinellas County sheriff's officials said. Daniel S. Faeh, 18, of Dunedin was traveling south on Pinehurst Road when his 1999 Toyota Camry hit Jay Walston, 60, who was going east on Michigan Avenue on a Suzuki Bergman 400 scooter. Three witnesses told deputies that Walston had a green light and Faeh had a red light. Faeh was going about 30 mph when he hit Walston, officials said. Walston, who was wearing a helmet, suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. His condition was not available late Friday afternoon. Faeh had minor injuries. Deputies said Faeh will be cited for running a red light.

Deputies to be out in force on holiday

We probably don't need to tell you this, but here goes: If you drink and drive on New Year's Eve, there's a better than normal chance that you'll end up in jail - or worse. Throughout 2005, Pinellas County had 1,631 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 1,162 injuries and 39 fatalities. To hold down those numbers, deputies will be out in force countywide from 8 p.m. Sunday until 4 a.m. Monday.

Corrections

- Tarpon Springs will not pick up yard waste or Christmas trees on Wednesday. Yard waste pickup will resume in Tarpon Springs on Jan. 10. A story Friday was incorrect on this point.

- For more information about an effort by the Largo Recreation Department to raise money to build a playground for Hurricane Katrina victims in Mississippi, call special events recreation leader Jackie Magree at (727) 587-6740, ext. 5015. A story Wednesday included the wrong number.

[Last modified December 30, 2006, 06:28:24]