Crime & Safety

Suspect in Counterfeit Check Case Faces Charges for Stealing Rare Book

Jay Michael Linford, who is suspected of cashing a counterfeit check, is also under investigation for stealing a rare, first-edition Book of Mormon.

Suspect who allegedly cashed a counterfeit check in Old Town Alexandria recently made national news for stealing a first-edition Book of Mormon.

The book . 

There is a warrant issued for Linford, 48, of Gilbert, Ariz., for the fake check cashed at United Bank.

Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Earlier this week, the Alexandria Police Department said law enforcers were looking for an unidentified suspect who walked into the , located at 301 S. Washington St. on June 7 at 2:13 p.m., and cashed a counterfeit check from a Washington, D.C.-based company.

At approximately 3:17 p.m. the same day, the suspect went to a United Bank located at 2300 S. Ninth St. in Arlington County and attempted to cash a second check, but was denied by the teller. The suspect left the bank before police arrived.

Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In both cases, the suspect used a fake Maryland driver’s license.

Alexandria police say the fraudster is now believed to be Linford, who authorities say also stole a rare-first edition Book of Mormon from a Phoenix bookstore. The book, which has since been recovered, is a foundational text of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Linford was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI shortly after he visited the Old Town bank. Investigators arrested Linford June 12 while he was at the apartment of an acquaintance in Herndon. He was staying there as a guest. The FBI had a search warrant for the apartment and found the stolen book. 

He was jailed in lieu of $40,000 bond.


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