A joint investigation by the Natchitoches and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Offices led to the arrest of a wanted person and his companion as they attempted to pass a stolen check at a north Natchitoches Parish bank Monday.
The investigation began Monday, Nov. 30 at 12:05 p.m. when alert City Bank & Trust Company employees in Campti contacted NPSO reporting individuals in a black Chevrolet Malibu attempting to cash a stolen check in the amount of $2,000 in the bank drive-thru.
Deputies arrived within 2 minutes.
Deputies made contact with the vehicle occupants, identified as Tess Nash, 35, and Samuel K. Welch, 32, both of Montgomery and another male not being named at this time for investigative purposes.
NPSO Detectives arrived to assist in the investigation and learned the check had been stolen from a Sabine Parish business.
Detectives made contact with Sabine Parish Detectives and confirmed the check, and additional checks, had been stolen from the business.
Welch was reportedly a former employee of the business.
National Crime Information Center background checks revealed Welch was wanted by the La. Department of Corrections since Nov. 13 for an Illegal Carrying of Weapons conviction.
Welch was placed under arrest and during a search of his of person incidental to his arrest, another stolen check was discovered in his wallet.
Deputies obtained permission from Nash to search the rental vehicle.
During that search, deputies recovered six Sabine State Bank and four City Bank & Trust Company checks stolen from the same business and a bottle containing a suspected CDS Schedule III narcotic.
Welch stated he possessed all the checks.
Nash, who claimed to be Welch’s companion, was also placed under arrest.
Deputies learned from a rental agency that the vehicle was a non-returned rental vehicle.
Nash is charged with Accessory to Monetary Instrument Abuse.
Welch is charged with DOC warrant for Illegal Carrying of Weapons, Possession of CDS Schedule III Narcotics, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things (Checks) and Monetary Instrument Abuse.
Additional charges are pending in Sabine Parish as Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Detectives continue their investigative efforts in the case.
Nash and Welch remain in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
Sheriff Stuart Wright said the quick actions of bank employees by providing deputies with accurate descriptions and details led to the apprehension of these suspects.
“Good work City Bank and we thank Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office for the assistance in the investigation,” Sheriff Wright said.
Deputies K. Samuel and C. Crow were assisted Detective Cpt. D. Winder, Detective Sgt. C. LaCour and Sabine Parish Detective Sculthorpe.