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Mechanic From Kingston Cashes Check From Customer's Car, Police Say

A local mechanic is facing a felony charge after allegedly stealing a personal check from a customer’s vehicle and cashing it himself to make off with the money.

Lucas Martinez.

Lucas Martinez.

Photo Credit: New York State Police

New York State Police troopers from the Rhinebeck barracks arrested 25-year-old Kingston resident Lucas Martinez, who has been charged with a felony count of criminal possession of a forged instrument after allegedly stealing the check and forging the signature to cash it.

According to police, Martinez, who is employed at Mavis Tire in Rhinebeck stole the check, forged the signature on it, made it payable to himself and cashed it at Wells Fargo Bank in Kingston, stealing $550 from the customer’s account.

Police were aided by Wells Fargo, which provided video surveillance of Martinez wearing his Mavis Tire uniform and cashing the check at the branch. Martinez has since been suspended from Mavis until the case is adjudicated.

Martinez was arrested by state police troopers and arraigned in the City of Kingston Justice Court. He was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $500 property bond. Martinez is due back in court later this year.

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