Police spoil the big wedding
Published 9:00 pm Friday, March 5, 2004
EVERETT — The wedding was apparently set for today. Stashed in the couple’s bedroom was everything for the big event: the gown, the suit, the ring, the flower girls’ white dresses, the bridesmaids pink dresses, tickets to Vegas.
So what was the hitch?
Well, everything was carted off by police, and the groom-to-be was arrested on suspicion of passing fake checks and using a stolen identification to finance the wedding.
The Everett man, 27, was released after posting bail. So it was unclear whether the big event was still on, sheriff’s spokesman Chief Kevin Prentiss said.
"If they want to have a wedding, they’re going to have to go out and find a lot of stuff," he said.
The suspect was arrested Thursday after a lengthy investigation into an identity theft case that spans Snohomish and Skagit counties. Charges have not been filed.
The man allegedly made checks on a computer and used them to buy things for the wedding, according to court documents.
The scam came to light in January when a Marysville woman reported that someone had forged 18 checks using her husband’s name. She also reported that someone had fraudulently used her JCPenney credit card.
A two-day shopping spree added up to nearly $10,000 at 13 different department stores.
According to court documents, the fake checks were used to buy movies, compact discs, car speakers, video games, tools, lacy underwear, mints, bicycle helmets and computer equipment.
Fake checks and the credit card also were used to buy four men’s suits — one navy blue and the others black — and a one-carat diamond groom’s ring at JCPenney at Alderwood Mall.
Two white dresses for flower girls, two wreaths and earrings were bought from David’s Bridal in Lynnwood.
The suspect told the bridal store his wedding was set for today. He and an Everett woman, 21, got a marriage license on Feb. 2.
Snohomish County sheriff’s detectives tracked the man down through a series of surveillance videos from the department stores. He could be charged with possession of stolen property, theft, forgery and having instruments to commit financial fraud.
And the wedding?
One place has everything safe and ready for the nuptials: the police evidence building.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
