Hunter
02/22/21
A Cedar Rapids man who was one of many who cashed fraudulent payroll checks from a newly-opened Coralville restaurant over three years ago has been taken into custody.
Back on September 18th of 2017, now 23-year-old Christopher Blacher of 1st Avenue Southwest took an alleged counterfeit check from Popeye’s Chicken to the Midwest One Bank branch on Highway 965 and got it cashed in the amount of $887.41. Surveillance video showed Blacher provided a government-issued ID to cash the fake check.
Earlier that same day, Blacher reportedly went to West Bank on 10th Avenue in Coralville and cashed a bank check on the account of Freshmex Iowa City for nearly $1050. Bank video allegedly clearly identified Blacher.
A warrant was issued for Blacher’s arrest the following month, and he was taken into custody Saturday. He’s been charged with two counts of forgery and two counts of 3rd degree Theft, and could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison if convicted.