Indy Man Facing Fraud, Forgery Charges

April 15, 2020 at 10:36 p.m.

By Amanda Bridgman-

An Indianapolis man is facing fraud and forgery charges for allegedly stealing a construction company’s checking information and writing a check to himself.

Patrick David Wessels, 31, Indianapolis, was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail at 1:49 p.m. Monday and faces charges of fraud on a financial institution, a Level 5 felony; and forgery and theft, both Level 6 felonies.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed May 29, 2018, in Kosciusko Superior Court III, on March 13, 2018, a man who owned a construction company contacted Lake City Bank and said a check was written to another company in the amount of $1,623.70. However, the man said, the check was mailed, stolen and a new check was created using his banking information, which was payable to Wessels. The man reported the check was shown as cashed on Dec. 14, 2017. The man also said the company intended to get the check never received it.

Lake City Bank protection services employees discovered the check was cashed at a check-cashing business and endorsed by Wessels.

When police spoke with Wessels by phone, according to the affidavit, Wessels told police he had worked plowing snow for the construction company and that the check was his paycheck.

The man who owns the construction company said his company has never plowed snow nor has he ever employed Wessels.

Wessels is being held without bond, according to jail booking information.



An Indianapolis man is facing fraud and forgery charges for allegedly stealing a construction company’s checking information and writing a check to himself.

Patrick David Wessels, 31, Indianapolis, was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail at 1:49 p.m. Monday and faces charges of fraud on a financial institution, a Level 5 felony; and forgery and theft, both Level 6 felonies.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed May 29, 2018, in Kosciusko Superior Court III, on March 13, 2018, a man who owned a construction company contacted Lake City Bank and said a check was written to another company in the amount of $1,623.70. However, the man said, the check was mailed, stolen and a new check was created using his banking information, which was payable to Wessels. The man reported the check was shown as cashed on Dec. 14, 2017. The man also said the company intended to get the check never received it.

Lake City Bank protection services employees discovered the check was cashed at a check-cashing business and endorsed by Wessels.

When police spoke with Wessels by phone, according to the affidavit, Wessels told police he had worked plowing snow for the construction company and that the check was his paycheck.

The man who owns the construction company said his company has never plowed snow nor has he ever employed Wessels.

Wessels is being held without bond, according to jail booking information.



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