Counterfeit checks land man in jail

Police say the man creates counterfeit checks using a computer.

BOARDMAN — A Mineral Ridge man has been arrested again in what police believe is a pattern of counterfeit checks and stolen cars.

Christopher Gray, 32, of Main Street, Mineral Ridge, was arrested by Columbiana police Tuesday evening. Boardman Detective Greg Stepuk said that Gray, who had warrants for criminal simulation and forgery from township and Austintown police, was found driving a car reported stolen from a Canton car dealership.

Stepuk said that Gray creates checks using a computer and then goes to car dealerships and uses the counterfeit checks to buy cars and trucks.

The detective said that Gray has an affinity for Fords, specifically Mustangs and pickup trucks.

In May, employees at Donnell Ford, Market Street, told police that Gray wrote a check for $33,750 for a Ford pickup. The dealership later learned that the bank on which the check was written doesn’t exist.

Gray was charged with forgery and criminal simulation from that case. Warrants had been issued for his arrest.

Other crimes

He’s accused of a similar crime at Fred Martin Ford in Austintown, also last month. In that case, he drove away with a Mustang.

“He’s not using any false names or anything,” Stepuk said. “He’s using his real driver’s license.”

The Mineral Ridge man also is accused of writing a fraudulent check to buy a nearly $1,000 engagement ring at Adamas Jewelers on Market Street.

Gray also was arrested last month, accused of writing a $14,500 check from a fictitious bank. He took the check to Cortland bank, South Avenue, receiving $4,000 and depositing the remainder.

Police arrested him when he returned to the same bank to get the rest of the money. He was later released from jail.

Gray was turned over to Boardman police Tuesday evening and remains in the Mahoning County Justice Center on a $13,000 bond.

He is scheduled to appear in Mahoning County Area Court today.