Thomas Allen Elsasser

WARSAW — An Elkhart man was arrested after allegedly cashing a stolen check.

Thomas Allen Elsasser, 46, 11232 Goshen Ave., Elkhart, is charged with burglary and theft, both level 6 felonies.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Dec. 6, 2019, an ISP officer met with the owner of Car Masters LLC regarding stolen checkbooks.

The owner said that on Dec. 5, 2019, two men stole checkbooks belonging to Car Masters LLC. The owner said he received notice that two checks were written and cashed without the consent of Car Masters LLC. One of the checks was cashed at Beacon Credit Union on Dec. 5.

The officer reviewed surveillance footage for Car Masters LLC and saw two men enter the store. One of the men is seen expressing interest in purchasing a vehicle. The other man can be seen going through an employer’s office space and taking checkbooks from the office. The two men left a short time later.

The officer went to Beacon Credit Union and spoke with the branch manager. She informed the officer that Elsasser cashed a Car Masters LLC check in the amount of $3,900 on Dec. 5. Elsasser presented his state identification when cashing the check. 

The officer viewed surveillance footage of the transaction and positively identified Elsasser as the man who cashed the Car Masters LLC check on Dec. 5. 

Elsasser was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail on a $9,000 surety and cash bond.