A recent string of check fraud incidents is under investigation.
Diane Hodge, 40, of 203 N. Oak St., Mentone, was found at Bowers Jewelry, 3564 Commerce Drive, Monday attempting to present a check for $12,000 for a diamond ring. Hodge had previously cashed a similar check two days earlier at the same store for a ring valued at more than $8,000. Store personnel became suspicious and called police.
Hodge was detained and admitted to writing checks totaling approximately $30,000 for the purchase of diamond rings and earrings at numerous jewelry stores in Warsaw, Nappanee, Logansport, Rochester and Plymouth without sufficient funds to cover the checks. All of these incidents have occurred within the last four weeks.
Hodge indicated that she was working with another individual who would be sent to area pawn shops to cash in the jewelry. That person is under investigation and their name has been withheld at this time.
Hodge was arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 6:03 p.m. Monday on three counts of check fraud, all felonies, with a $2,000 bond. She was able to bond out later that evening. The charges relate to checks passed at Bowers Jewelry and Crownover Jewelry, both in Warsaw.
Other departments in Elkhart, Fulton, Marshall and Cass counties are also investigating fraud incidents involving Hodge, with additional charges expected to be filed.
