American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-06-15
SLICK CROOK CASHED NUMEROUS
BOGUS CHECKS AND GOT AS FOR
AS POCATELLO BEFORE HE WAS
CAUGHT.
HAD NO MONEY IN BANK.
Claimed To Be Training To Join BOs-
ton American Baseball Team-Re-
leased ON Own RecOgnizance After
He Makes Good for all Bad Checks.

A new wrinkle in nigh finance was
pulled in American Falls Saturday,
when Richard Nice MacRea cashed
$3.50 worth of checks on local mer-
chants, without funds in the First
National Bank at Pocatello, and was
caught by the Pocatello police before
the checks had time to clear at the
bank on which they we're drawn, and
the money deposited in the bank.
If intentions and circumstantial evil
dence were enough to send a man to
Jail, MacRea would probably be on his
way right now. But luck was with
him. He had hardly left town be-
fore F. d. Durkee manager of the Fall
Creek Mercantile Co., one of the vic
tins, had Pocatello on the wire and
brought about the swindler's arrest.
MacRea had all the money on his per-
SON when arrested. So it was taken
from him and placed to his credit in
the First National Bank Aand when
the spurious checks arrive they will
be duly honored and cashed That
prevents the filing of any charge
against MacRea, according to Prose-
cutting Attorney Cotant, who recon-
mended the release of MacRea as soon
as he received assurance that there
was sufficient money in the bank to
cover the checks that had been writ
ten.
Made Friends Quickly.
MacRea arrived in American Falls
two weeks ago and Immediately be-
came acquainted with as many people
as possible He pretended to be a
member of the Boston American base
ball team and claimed that he was
here to train for a month before join
ing Duffy Lewis Redsox. He men,
toned Coach Hutchinson of the Idaho
Tech" as an intimate friend and
found many mutual friends among the
younger men of the city.
MacRea talked much of baseball
spoke often of his pitching ability, and
of how he had coached many success
full football teams in the east. He was
conversant in literature, all sports
Princeton University, and referred tc
all the big league players by theiI
nick names.
He stayed at the Remington Hotel
and made manager Whitney a personal
confidant Mr. Whitney cashed sew.
eral of his checks for small amounts
and found that they were good. Their
came last Saturday night. MacRes
was going to Pocatello he said tC
teach Hutchinson some new football
plays. He needed some money anC
cashed checks in varying amounts al
the Remington, Fall Creek Mere, Falls
Pharmacy, Golden Rule, Rocklant
Pharmacy, Evans Mere. and Schwar;
Brothers, the total amounting t
$3.50.
Made S25 in POcatellO.
He then took the first train for Po
catello and there added $25 to hi
pocketbook by eashing another checl
on friends, when he was arrested OF
the complaint of Mr.. Durkee.
The law says that it is crime t.
write checks and obtain money there
from when there is no money in tn
bank with which to pay them, whel
presented. An unusual set of circum
stances provided money with which Il
pay the checks when they were pre-
sented so MacRea is free.
Local merchants are determined t
stop the check artists in American
Falls. Others, bent on swindel, ma
not be as fortunate as MacRea.