State Bank of St. Jacob Forgery Suspects Arrested
On Friday, 8/27/21 the Officers of the St Jacob Police Department arrested three subjects in connection with a forgery case from State Bank of St Jacob.
At 1PM on 8/27/21 the St Jacob Police Department received a call for “subjects attempting to pass a bad check” at the State Bank of St Jacob, located at 102 W. 4th Street in St Jacob. Upon arrival, police took two subjects into custody and seized two counterfeit checks. The checks were similar, but not identical to actual Village of St Jacob General Fund checks. One check was made out for $2,792.95 and the other for $2,210.74. The two suspects were identified as; Aaron d. Burke W/M age 40 and Kalea M Landmann W/F age 26. Both subjects said they were homeless and living at a shelter in St. Louis, MO.
Investigation subsequent to the arrest revealed that a third subject Rashund C. Sherfield B/M age 32 from Atlanta, GA had provided them with the checks and dropped them off at the bank, with the understanding that if the checks were cashed they would receive some of the money.
Officers learned Sherfield was driving a silver vehicle with Florida license plate QIAE42. A description of the vehicle and plate were broadcast over the Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network (ISPERN). A short time late license plates readers (LPR’s) began picking up the plate in Caseyville, IL.
An investigator with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Officer Auto Theft Task Force observed and detained Sherfield and the vehicle bearing that license plate at the Motel 6 in Caseyville. Sherfield was questioned at the scene and denied any knowledge of the incident or having a room at Motel 6. Further investigation revealed that he was staying in room 228 at Motel 6. A search warrant was obtained and executed in that room. A search of the room resulted in the seizure of seventeen more counterfeit checks from several other banks in Illinois and Missouri.
The Madison County States Attorney’s Office issued felony warrants on all three for forgery.
St. Jacob Police Chief Kukla credits the assistance the of Troy Police Department, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Auto Theft Task Force and Caseyville Police Department for their assistance in the investigation and arrest of these suspects. Kukla stated this was a team effort and shows how effective law enforcement is in this area.
