Audubon Man Accused of Stealing from Relative

According to an affidavit by Lower Providence Police Detective William Hopkins, Timothy Haines, 20, of the 2700 block of Lantern Lane in Audubon, has been accused of cutting his girlfriend checks, one for $250, from a relative’s checkbook.

Haines has been charged with forgery (a felony of the second degree), theft by unlawful taking or disposition, access to devise issued to another who did not authorize use and receiving stolen property.

According to Hopkins, the victim contacted Lower Providence Police on Sept. 8, after going online to check the status of a deposit via her online checking account on Sept. 6.

The victim told police that she noticed a check had been cashed on Sept. 4 at her bank in Collegeville. The amount was for $250 and made payable to the girlfriend of Haines. According to the affidavit, Haines’ is a relative of the victim. The victim also noticed that another check was missing from her checkbook.

The victim explained to police that she did not write the check to Haines’ girlfriend nor did she authorize or consent it being transacted.

On Sept. 10, Lower Providence Police obtained video surveillance and transaction information from the victim’s bank. The bank’s video surveillance showed Haines’ girlfriend cashing the check on Sept. 4, using the drive-thru teller.

On Sept. 12, Hopkins interviewed Haines’ girlfriend, who indicated that she received the allegedly stolen check from Haines. The girlfriend stated that she knew the victim did not authorize the check. The girlfriend told police that she only endorsed the back of the check and cashed it. The girlfriend added that Haines asked her to cash another check a few days later.

According to court documents, Haines had a continuence of a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar on Sept. 24, which has been moved to Oct. 3. Bail has been set for the amount of $5,000.