The man suspected of passing fictitious traveler’s checks in exchange for merchandise at Best Buy stores in Las Cruces, El Paso and California was arrested today in Louisiana.
Raymond L. Adkins, who has addresses in San Antonio, Texas, and Lynwood, Calif., was charged in July with 10 counts of forgery for using 10 fraudulent “American Traveler’s” checks at the Las Cruces Best Buy store at 2280 E. Lohman Ave. Las Cruces Police detectives petitioned Magistrate Court for a warrant for Adkins’ arrest. He was detained during a traffic stop Tuesday morning in the small town of Iowa, La.
LCPD detectives learned that on July 7, Adkins selected $4,789.21 in electronics from Best Buy, 2280 E. Lohman Ave., and used 10 “American Traveler’s” checks to purchase the items. Each traveler’s check indicated a value of $500.
Adkins obtained the merchandise and $210.79 in change before leaving the store. After Adkins left the store, an employee called to verify the checks and discovered they were fictitious.
Detectives believe around two hours later, on that same day, Adkins passed 10 travelers checks at the Best Buy on Sunland Park Drive in El Paso. Those 10 checks were also discovered to be fictitious.
A similar incident was recorded in September 2014 at a Best Buy store in Torrance, Calif. Adkins is the suspect in that case, as well.
The Las Cruces Police Department encourages merchants to verify all checks – traveler’s checks and personal checks – prior to accepting them for payment.
Adkins is expected to be extradited back to Las Cruces.
Information from Las Cruces Police