Two Arrested In Biddeford For Counterfeit Check Scheme

State Police have arrested two people in Biddeford in connection with a counterfeit check scheme, which defrauded several retail stores in New England of upwards of $100,000, Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland said Wednesday.

The fraudulent personal checks, which were being printed from a computer program, were used to buy gift cards and merchandise, McCausland said. Police say the suspects would return the gift cards and merchandise and collect cash.

Kissie Whatley, 36, and Randell Bankston, 46, both from Atlanta, Georgia, were arrested Monday. Police are expected to arrested a third person once they've been located.

State troopers and Biddeford Police discovered the check writing operation inside Whatley’s apartment on Alfred St. in Biddeford, McCausland said. Police say they also discovered fake driver’s licenses and IDs, many of which were made using identities stolen from residents in Georgia, North Carolina and Indiana.

Police aren't sure why Whatley used Biddeford as her base of operation, which began in July when she used a fake ID to rent the Alfred St. apartment, said Trooper Niles Krech.

The two suspects were taken to the Cumberland County Jail. Whatley was charged with aggravated forgery, forgery and theft by unauthorized taking. Bankston was charged with organized retail theft and misuse of an identification card.

Whatley and Bankston both have an extensive criminal history and were wanted in other states for similar charges, McCausland said.