Staff Report

James Robert Miller

SILVER LAKE — An Elkhart man was recently arrested for allegedly attempting to cash a fraudulent check at a Silver Lake bank.

James Robert Miller, 65, 130 N. 2nd St. Apartment C2, Elkhart, is charged with forgery, a level 6 felony; and attempt to commit theft, a class A misdemeanor.

On Dec. 22, 2022, a Silver Lake Police officer responded to Lake City Bank regarding a fraud report. A bank teller said a man, later identified as Miller, came into the bank and attempted to cash a check in the amount of $2,521.12.

According to court documents, the teller said the check appeared fraudulent due to the positioning of a company logo and the material of the check itself. When the teller ran the check through an automated service used by financial institutions to detect fraud, it was flagged. The service stated the check had been issued by the company on Dec. 12, 2022, in the amount of $6,300 to a different individual.

The system also showed someone attempted to cash the same check at two other Lake City Bank branches that same day. Both attempts were unsuccessful due to the automated service flagging the check.

The teller wrote down the BMV number listed on Miller’s identification card and told him she was unable to cash the check. Miller then left the bank.

On Jan. 5, 2023, the officer spoke with an individual connected to the company who issued the check. The individual confirmed the check was not made out to Miller and there was no reason for Miller to have been issued a check.

Miller was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Aug. 29, 2024.