Grocery shopper picks the absolute wrong line: Cashier recognizes her own stolen checks

New Orleans Times Picayune ^ | May 1, 2003 | Michelle Hunter

[geaux]

Sav-A-Center cashier Gennifer Robinson said it didn't take any real detective work to spot that a check given to her April 23 to pay for groceries was a forgery.

She immediately recognized the distinctive Looney Tunes background from her own checkbook, which had been stolen from her car along with her purse five days earlier.

And there was one more fairly strong hint: "She handed me my own driver's license," said Robinson, 20, who now laughs when she shares the story with friends, though she admits it wasn't so funny at the time.

Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputies arrested Ashlie Williams, 20, of 2026 Tupelo St., New Orleans. She was booked with seven counts of fraud under $500, forgery and illegal possession of things less than $300, according to arrest reports. She was released from the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on April 23 on a personal surety bond.

Robinson's car had been broken into and her purse stolen April 18 while she was visiting a friend in Metairie, she said. As of Wednesday afternoon, Williams had not been booked with any charges related to the theft.

Robinson, who works at the Sav-A-Center at 2900 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie, said she had just finished a break and Williams was her first customer.

Though her purse had four different forms of picture identification, Williams apparently didn't look too carefully, Robinson said. "I still don't know how she didn't realize it was me."

When Williams first wrote the check for $259.17, Robinson said she recognized the brown checkbook and Looney Tunes watermark. Her suspicions were confirmed when Williams handed over her own driver's license.

Robinson said she stayed calm and told Williams that she had to get a signature from her manager. She left Williams waiting at the register until authorities arrived.

Deputies searched Williams and found Louisiana driver's licenses and identification cards for five other women as well as several credit cards, reports said. Detectives will investigate to determine if any other charges should be filed.

Robinson said the arrest has been the talk of the store.

"Every day I come to work, people are cracking jokes, saying, 'Gennifer, write me a check.' "

[annyokie]

Don't you just hate when this happens?

[ChemistCat]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I really needed to read this story. I've had such a dreadful day and you actually made me laugh. I really love stupid crook stories.

[petuniasevan]

I saw this on O'Reilly.

Hold muh checkbook and watch THIS!

[lelio]

She left Williams waiting at the register until authorities arrived.
She has a lot more self control than me. Unfortunately the checks were Loony Tunes, if it was a Simpsons one should could do a re-enactment of Homer choking Bart.

[inquest]

And there was one more fairly strong hint: "She handed me my own driver's license,"

"...and that's when I began to suspect that something wasn't quite right."

[Temple Owl]

GReeeerate !!!!! I hope she spend 30 years making license plates/

[gov_bean_ counter]

This one rates up there with the bank robber who writes the note on the back of one of their own deposit slips, or

the bank robber who stuffs the exploding money pack down his shorts.

[annyokie]

Side-bar: I have a former friend who formerly worked as an "escort". She was apprehended by the house detective at a nice hotel in SF while carrying her PHONE BILL with the name of her "client" and his room number written on it.

Proof, that crime makes you stupid.

[429CJ]

"And there was one more fairly strong hint: "She handed me my own driver's license,"

I think that's what they call 'a clue' in the FBI.

[hometoroost]

This should have a "Hold muh Tweety" alert.

[tiamat]

Obviously not the brightest crayon in the box! LOL!

Where's the "Hold Muh Beer" or "D'oh!" alert?

Tia

[lilylangtree]

A similar incident occurred to the daughter of a friend of mine about 12 years ago. Her husband was temporarily assigned to another area and she and her children (3) were visiting. She pulled into the nearby shopping area, got out and laid her purse on top of the car, and proceeded to assist her infant out of the car into a stroller. When the purse was taken, naturally, she was distressed. Later in the day she went to a nearby store to pick up some things for the baby. She was directly behind the person who had stolen her purse because the woman trying to use the credit card. Thankfully, my friend's daughter was able to alert the clerk before any purchases were made. Stroke of luck (as well as some help from God)!

[goldstategop]

Hold Muh Stolen Driver License and Stolen Checks To Wrong Cashier Alert!

[4mycountry]

>>>"I'll love 'em and squeeze em...."

"....and call em George."
Sorry, I couldn't resist. ^_~

[JackelopeBreeder]

Grocery stores are an under-rated source of entertainment. I actually enjoy waiting in line, just for the entertainment value. A couple of months back I went to the local grocery store and had an experience that had me laughing for hours.

I was fourth in line in the express lane. Customer #1 wanted to haggle with the clerk over the price of every item. Customer #2 had easily twice the 12 items or less -- and then tried to pay for it with a brand new debit card for which she had no PIN number. Customer #1 returned at this point because she had suddenly remembered she had coupons. Customer #3 tried to pay for his purchases with an out-of-state third-party check and got ugly when the clerk wouldn't accept it. An off-duty cop took him outside.

My turn, so I carefully placed my one item (a large bottle of rum) on the counter, gave the cashier a crisp new $20, and invited him to help me drink my purchase. We've been friends ever since.

Then I got to watch Customer #3 get cuffed and stuffed by the local gendarmerie as I walked to the truck. Almost as much fun as girl-watching in the frozen food section in the summer time.

So next time there's nothing on TV, just head for Safeway!

[ysoitanly]

The Winona Award goes to......

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputies arrested Ashlie Williams, 20, of 2026 Tupelo St., New Orleans...She was released from the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on April 23 on a personal surety bond.

That's the real joke in this whole story. Might as well start making out the bench warrant out now. They'll need it.

[CheneyChick]

I guess I'm missing out on all the fun since I use Safeway.com! LOL!