A 2,000 Mile Test Drive Leads to 30 Years in Prison | Fraud and Theft in Fort Collins

Ever wonder what it would be like to drive an expensive Porsche? Well, I wouldn’t take a page from this man’s book, because his strategy landed him with 30 years in prison in another state. He allegedly wrote a fraudulent check for a $109,000 after 6:00 p.m., so the dealership did not know the check was bad until the next day. After the dealership contacted him, the man eventually returned the car two weeks later having racked up over 2,000 miles on it. The man was convicted of Theft and Check Fraud.

Theft in Larimer County

In Larimer, Boulder, and Grand County, the level of felony Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-401 – you are charged with is based on the value of the item taken. For this case, the $109,000 price tag on the car would put stealing it at a class 3 felony. This level felony carries a 4 to 12 year prison sentence in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $750,000 in fines.

Check Fraud in Fort Collins

If you write a check knowing you do not have the funds to cover it and intend to defraud, you have committed Check Fraud in Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park. Colorado Law punishes Check Fraud – C.R.S. 18-5-205 – as a class 6 felony if the check was written for $2,000 or more. This class 6 felony would add a possible 18 months in Colorado Department of Corrections along with up to $100,000 in fines.

Sometimes, a person will write a check expecting money in the next day to clear at the bank, and complications arise.

Sometimes, a person will write a check expecting money in the next day to clear at the bank, and complications arise. In other instances, we have seen situations where a joint account holder writes a check, which drains the money from a checking account just before an otherwise good check arrives. Without inquiring, police file charges against the innocent person. Finally, we have seen cases where a merchant agrees to hold a check for a few days, but fail to keep their promise. In all these cases, charges for the hot check would be filed, even though wrongdoing amounting to Check Fraud is not present.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for Felony Theft or Fraud, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 970-658-0007. We can also meet with your friend or family member at the Larimer County Jail for a jail visit or attorney meeting.
Together, we can protect your future.