Progress in Joseph Co. investigation
Published 12:00 am Friday, December 15, 2000
Austin Police Chief Paul M.
Friday, December 15, 2000
Austin Police Chief Paul M. Philipp reported today progress in the investigation into the theft of checks from The Joseph Company.
The thefts were reported a month ago after The Joseph Company payroll checks were cashed with forged signatures.
Over $58,000 in forged checks were reported.
"We’re very encouraged to learn some new information has surfaced in working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation," said Philipp.
Four suspects are believed to be involved in three instances that bear similarity, according to FBI and Austin Police Department information.
In each case, checks were removed from the business offices. The checks were taken from supplies of payroll checks "back in the box or file," according to the police chief, so they would not be immediately noticed missing.
The evidence collected includes video surveillance tapes of individuals cashing the checks.
The suspects, according to FBI and Austin police, are Hispanics.
Deputy released
Mower County Sheriff’s Department Deputy John J. Bachman, 37, is expected to be released from the hospital today.
Bachman was injured early December 2, when responding to an emergency call from Waltham.
Bachman was patrolling in the Taopi area, when he received the call to assist at a domestic assault incident in Waltham. He lost control of his patrol car on an icy stretch of Highway 56 near Taopi and the vehicle crashed into a utility pole.
Bachman was trapped in his vehicle and lost consciousness after calling the Austin – Mower County Law Enforcement Center.
Dispatchers sent the Mayo One air ambulance to the scene and the injured deputy was extricated by the Adams Volunteer Fire Department and immediately air transported to a Rochester hospital for treatment of multiple injuries.