Thief who forged hundreds in checks is identified, cops say

Forks Township police have identified a man they say stole several checks from a victim, forged signatures and made off with hundreds in cash. This man is accused of forging checks at various banks across the Lehigh Valley. (Courtesy photos | For lehighvalleylive.com)...

Thief who forged hundreds in checks is identified, cops say

Forks Township police have identified a man they say stole several checks from a victim, forged signatures and made off with hundreds in cash.

This man is accused of forging checks at various banks across the Lehigh Valley. (Courtesy photos | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Joshua Douglas Lugo, also known as "Flip," is tied to the crime, police said. The 20-year-old is known to frequent the Wilson Borough, Palmer Township and Easton areas, said Forks police Detective Philomena Kelly.

Lugo sometime between December and February stole from the victim's home in the township, police said. Police did not state how Lugo knew the victim.

The checks were then cashed in various increments at several Lehigh Valley banks, including Lafayette Ambassador and PNC. Police obtained bank surveillance footage of Lugo and a tipster was able to identify him, police said.

Lugo was seen at the bank wearing low-hanging denim jeans, with underwear exposed. He also wore a zipped-up blue down jacket, black hat and white sneakers. He appeared to have facial hair at the time of the theft, police said.

A warrant is out for Lugo's arrest. He is charged with felony forgery, receiving stolen property and theft.

Those with information on Lugo's whereabouts are urged to call Detective Kelly at 610-252-0377, ext. 136, or email her at pkelly@forkstownship.org. Tipsters may be anonymous.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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