Eight More Arrested For Forgery

Fri., Nov. 17, 2000

Eight more suspects in a large forgery and drug network were arrested overnight Wednesday, police said. Another is being held in a Seattle jail.

Twenty-four people were originally wanted on 140 counts of theft, forgery and possession of stolen property. Seventeen have now been taken into custody, police said.

Authorities identified the seven remaining at large as Wendy M. Burnett, 23; Howard L. Evans, 31; Joseph A. Gerdon, 22; Joseph A. Hailey, 36; Mindee K. Higgins, 33; Josh L. Kinkaid, 22; and Leah A. Swan, 25. Police estimate the forgery ring cost businesses and citizens between $50,000 and $100,000 each week, dating back to early summer.

Authorities say those involved with the scheme stole checks and identification cards from mailboxes and unlocked cars. With the help of a computer, checks were duplicated and then passed at banks and stores.

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