Michael James Kausal

SYRACUSE — Michael James Kausal, 51, 27 EM D18A1 Lane, Syracuse, was arrested Saturday evening, after charges were filed against him when he took a check from a friend, wrote the check out to himself and forged the friend’s name. He also used that friend’s debit card for a purchase.

Kausal has been charged with forgery and fraud, both level 6 felonies and theft, a class A misdemeanor.

Documents filed in Kosciusko Superior Court 3 state on Sept. 16, a woman advised while checking her bank account, she found where a check had been written out to a former friend in the amount of $140 without her permission or consent. The check had also been cashed. She had contacted the Kausal about writing the check and cashing it. Later $130 was deposited back into her account.

Police obtained a copy of the check and compared her signature with that on the check, finding it did not match. She also reported on Sept. 8, her debit card was used to purchase $9.95 in cigarettes at Casey’s Gas Station in Syracuse, also without her permission or consent.

Kausal admitted to police he had cashed the check and used the debit card.

He is being held on $5,000 surety and $250 cash bond.