Serial counterfeit payroll check forger being sought in 5 counties
Add Butler to a list of police departments seeking a suspected serial counterfeit check forger.
In all there are seven arrest warrants out for Scott Elliot Payne Jr., 30, of Pittsburgh, who already has nine forgery convictions in Pennsylvania. He is wanted in five counties.
District Judge William Fullerton of Butler on Monday issued the latest warrant for Payne's arrest — this one in connection with an alleged bounced bogus check written in August.
Butler police said the defendant on Aug. 23 passed what looked to be an authentic Eat'n Park payroll check at the former Friedman's supermarket on West Brady Street. He used his state identification card to cash the check for $426.02.
Friedman's, however, was later informed by its bank that the check was fake.
Police charged Payne with a felony count of forgery and a misdemeanor count of theft by deception.
Jackson Township police got their own arrest warrant for Payne after they say he cashed two fake payroll checks on Sept. 11 and 12 at Bi-Lo Foods at Northgate Plaza. The two checks totaled $1,729.20, court documents said. District Judge Wayne Seibel signed the warrant Oct. 20.
Other departments with felony arrest warrants for Payne are state police in Washington County; McKeesport police in Allegheny County; and Greensburg, Latrobe and New Kensington police, all in Westmoreland County.
He faces charges including forgery, theft by deception and bad checks in those other counties. The alleged crimes occurred between June 2 and Sept. 11.
State police in Clarion County on Oct. 16 charged Payne, by summons, for forging a bad check on Sept. 8 in Beaver Township.
Court records show that Payne has 18 felony convictions for crimes including forgery, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, unlawful use of a computer and escape.
