Man arrested in forgery, charges pending on juvenile

By Abby Morris
Star Staff
amorris@starhq.com

   A 26-year-old male has been arrested and charges are pending against a female juvenile in connection with the attempted passing of stolen checks at two city businesses over the weekend.
   Joshua Carl Myer, 604 Hattie Ave., has been charged with forgery, theft of property and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in the incident.
   According to reports, Richard Frost, an assistant manager of Peebles, 730 W. Elk Ave., spoke with officers Friday afternoon and reported that a white male and a white female had been in the store and were attempting to purchase expensive items with a check written out for more than $500.
   Frost reported that when he informed them he would be required to verify the funds for such a large purchase, the couple left. Frost stated that he called the phone number that was listed on the check and found that the checks had been stolen in Johnson City.
   The next night at approximately 11 p.m., Frost was at Ingle's Supermarket, on West Elk Avenue, when he saw the same two subjects attempting to pass a check at that store. Frost then went to the parking lot and notified police.
   When Elizabethton Police Department Sgt. John Bailey arrived, he spoke with Frost about both incidents and as they were talking, the two subjects exited the store and Frost pointed them out to the officer.
   "As I approached the male subject, I observed him attempt to drop a checkbook that was in his left hand," Bailey states in his report. "At that time, I instructed him to give me the checkbook, which he did."
   Bailey spoke with both subjects and relayed the name and phone number that was listed on the checks to the 911 Communications Center. "I had Comm. Center call the phone number that was listed on the checkbook," Bailey reports. "Comm. Center advised that the subject on the checkbook had reported it stolen in Johnson City on (April 10)."
   EPD Detective Matt Bowers was then contacted to respond to the scene. After arriving, Bowers interviewed the female juvenile in the presence of her father and then released her to his custody. Bowers also interviewed Myer and issued warrants charging him with forgery, theft of property and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
   On Sunday evening, Bailey served the warrants on Myer and took him into custody. "During the booking process, a small plastic bag of a leafy green substance that appeared to be marijuana was located in the watch pocket of his blue jeans," Bailey states in his report. "Also a pack of JB rolling papers were located in his wallet."
   Myer was additionally charged with possession of Schedule VI narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia.