John Michael Chapa of Miami, Florida was arrested recently after he was accused of writing $8,000 worth of fraudulent checks in order to purchase four generators, news sources report. Chapa, 40, was booked into police custody on charges of organized fraud, grand theft, and forgery. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail bond. It is also not yet known whether he has obtained a defense attorney.
According to reports, Chapa somehow acquired a driver's license and a Citibank checkbook under the name Bobby Turner. Detectives have not said whether they know how Chapa came across those fraudulent items or whether another suspect may have helped him acquire them. It is also not clear what Chapa purchased the alleged generators for.
The fraudulent activity first occurred at Windmill Sprinkler and Hardware in Delray Beach on April 6, reports suggest. Reports say Chapa purchased two Honda generators from the store for $1,999 each. To pay for the merchandise, Chapa wrote a check for $4,237.88 using the fraudulent checkbook and presented the fake ID when asked. Citibank contacted the door several days after the purchase and told the store that the check used for the transaction was fraudulent.
Four days later, Chapa paid a visit to Boca Raton Small Engines and purchased two more Honda generators. To pay, Chapa reportedly wrote another fraudulent check, this time for $4,301.46, and again presented the fake ID. Store clerks said they saw Chapa leave the store in a white Land Rover. Several days later, Citibank called the store to tell them the check Chapa had used was fraudulent. However, the store manager did not report the fraudulent activity until December for reasons not yet known.
Police, aided by members of the Secret Service, conducted an investigation into the two instances of fraud. Somehow, they were able to connect Chapa to both incidents. Police provided employees at both hardware stores where the theft occurred with a photo lineup; the employees from both stores picked Chapa out of the lineup, sources say.
Chapa was not the only South Florida man accused of stealing appliances. Scott Powell of West Palm Beach was arrested Wednesday after he was accused of stealing air conditioning units from his employer, reports say. Powell, 35, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of grand theft and dealing in stolen property. His bail was set at $14,000. It is unclear whether he hired legal representation.