 In the spring of 2023, our EPD Financial Crimes Unit began to investigate reports of fraudulent checks being passed at local financial institutions. They discovered a pattern with multiple cases that had similarities. The detectives learned that several suspects were coming into Evansville and targeting the unhoused population. The suspects would offer new clothes, phones, or money to these individuals in exchange for them to cash fraudulent checks.Â
The suspects would drive into Evansville, steal checks from local businesses, and alter the checks. They would then find a local individual and entice them into cashing the check. Once the suspects got the money, they would leave town again.Â
The Financial Crimes Detectives along with our Mental Health and Homeless Liaison Officers wanted to educate our Evansville residents who were being targeted. Our officers and detectives had reached out to our local shelters and let the staff and residents know about these crimes, what to watch out for, and how to report suspicious behavior. Unfortunately, several of the local individuals did get caught up in this investigation and had been arrested for cashing these fraudulent checks.Â
The most recent incident occurred on February 21st. Daniel A. Ravellette was arrested at a local bank for cashing a fraudulent check. Ravellette told officers that he is homeless and two suspects in a white vehicle had recruited him to cash the check. Detectives were able to identify the suspects, but they had already left town.Â
This morning, February 23rd, detectives learned that the two suspects were back in Evansville. Twenty-five-year-old Kalil D. Smith and 34-year-old James C. Thacker were located and arrested in Evansville. They were both charged with Fraud and transported to the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center.Â
The Financial Crimes Unit will continue to investigate these types of crimes. If you have information or see any suspicious behavior that could be related to this type of investigation, please contact the Financial Crimes Unit at (812) 436-7991 or the EPD Tip Line at (812) 435-6194.Â
