Man arrested for allegedly forging checks
The former assistant manager of a Hot Springs pizza restaurant was arrested early Friday for allegedly forging checks from company accounts at the business.
Douglas Jason Middleton, 47, who lists a Bonnerdale address, was taken into custody shortly after 1:30 a.m. and charged with two felony counts of second-degree forgery, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of theft of property less than $1,000, punishable by up to one year in jail.
Middleton was being held on $8,000 bond and was set to appear Friday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on June 12, the owner of Rod’s Pizza Cellar, 3350 Central Ave., reported that her assistant manager, identified as Middleton, had reportedly forged two checks from company accounts.
She told police Middleton was authorized to write checks to vendors, but not to himself.
That same day, Hot Springs police Detective Shawn Stillian interviewed Middleton and he allegedly admitted to forging the two checks and cashing them from the company account.
He reportedly cashed a
$300 and $500 check on June
7 at Simmons
Bank, 100 Werner St.
Security footage from the bank reportedly showed Middleton cashing a check inside the bank and then later entering the drive-through lane and cashing a second check.
A warrant was later issued for Middleton’s arrest. The arrest report indicated Middleton is currently unemployed.