An Ash Flat man was recently arrested and charged with felony forgery, breaking or entering and theft of property after he stole mail from residence on Country Heritage Road and later cashed the checks found in the stolen mail.

According to a report from the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department, on Dec. 16, Detective Cham Buchanan was contacted by residents near Big Creek who stated someone had broken into their mailbox and taken the mail.

The victims were notified to checks had been deposited into the account of Isiah Estes, 24, of Ash Flat.

The first check was in the amount of $1,750 and the second for $2,000.

After making the deposit, Estes contacted the bank to state his debit card wasn’t working when he tried to make a withdrawal.

While attempting to verify information regarding the transaction, Estes left. The teller noticed the signature of the victim did not match the signature on the check.

Images of the checks as well as video footage of Estes depositing the checks was given to Detective Buchanan.

Estes was booked into the Sharp County Jail Dec. 20 and charged with forgery, a class C felony and breaking or entering, a class D felony and theft of property, a class D felony.

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Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.