Photo Id Program Credited With Helping In Suspect’s Arrest

Sun., Dec. 1, 1996

From Staff And Wire Reports

A recently adopted photo identification program is being credited with helping a grocery store clerk capture a woman who allegedly tried to cash a stolen check.

Police said Cynthia Jean Campbell, 49, brought $300 worth of groceries to a cash register at Albertsons, 1617 W. Northwest Blvd., on Friday and tried to cash a $335 check.

When the clerk asked for photo identification, the woman told her it was in her car. The clerk - who became suspicious because the woman had told her earlier she was going to call a cab to pick her up - called police.

Campbell gave two false names to police before finally correctly identifying herself, a police spokesman said. She was booked into the Spokane County Jail for obstruction of justice, possession of stolen property and four outstanding warrants.

Police said the check the woman tried to cash was one of a half-dozen stolen from another woman.

Earlier this year, police and sheriff’s deputies developed a program with major grocery stores in the area that requires clerks to ask for photo identification for all check and credit card purchases. The program, called Partners in Crime, is aimed at reducing check and credit card fraud.

, DataTimes

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