Two suspects were arrested this week when employees at a Wells Fargo banking location in Flowery Branch realized one of them was trying to cash a counterfeit check.
Robin Kemp, a spokesman for the Flowery Branch Police Department, said the incident happened Wednesday, Jan. 13 around 4:30 in the afternoon.
"Some of the employees called to say that ...the female suspect was in the business trying to cash a check," Kemp said. "Apparently they had been alerted from other branches of Wells Fargo that the pair had been to other branches and had been cashing checks."
He said the employees held on to the $4,900 check and called authorities. One of the employees even got in a personal vehicle and followed the suspects into Oakwood, where police were waiting.
"Once they stopped them, they identified the two people," Kemp said.
Elizabeth G. Iglesias Diaz, 28, of Gainesville and Jorge A. Alarcon, 36, of Oakwood were booked into the Hall County Jail. Diaz was charged with first degree forgery and identity fraud; she is being held without bond. Alarcon, who was charged with second degree forgery, has bonded out of jail.
Kemp said the check Diaz attempted to cash was written on the account of Royal S and S, Inc. Ontario Farmer's Market and was made payable to her.
Kemp said it is possible there is a third suspect, a man, who has been working with Diaz and Alarcon as they have cashed - or attempted to cash - the bogus checks at banks in the region. He said the two suspects have not been cooperative with sharing information about the other suspect.
Kemp said investigators are trying to determine how many banks might have been victimized, so they are encouraging anyone who might have information on Diaz or Alarcon to call the Flowery Branch Police Department at 770-967-6336.
