Fake check lands Florence man in Sumter jail
A Florence man is behind bars in Sumter County after he allegedly tried to buy a car with a forged check on Tuesday.
Marcus A. Blair, 31, of South Oliver Drive, is accused of attempting to purchase a vehicle with a forged check in the amount of $8,500 at American Auto Sales on Myrtle Beach Highway.
The dealer called law enforcement after trying to verify the check's authenticity, states a Sumter County Sheriff's Office news release.
Blair reportedly presented a check written in the amount of $8,500, but the "pay in the order of" line stated $8,000.
The suspect told the dealership employee the check was a refund for his prior ownership of a cellphone company and work with T-Cetra, a technology company based in Ohio, and that he wanted to receive cash back for the difference of the vehicle price.
The employee contacted T-Cetra and Bank of America, but neither company was able to verify the check.
When an investigator arrived at the dealership, Blair said he received two checks from T-Cetra and had cashed them in Darlington County, according to the release.
Blair was charged for forgery and transported to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center where he is awaiting a bond hearing.