Main Street Traffic Stop Uncovers Alleged Check Printing Operation

A traffic stop on Main Street in Seal Beach Tuesday morning yielded a trove of fraudulent check printing supplies and the arrest of a man suspected of passing bad checks in Seal Beach and throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties, according to police.

Michael Anthony Wieczorek, a 44-year-old transient out of Florence, Ca, is suspected of committing eight fraudulent check crimes at the Seal Beach Target during July and August.

“Wieczorek is believed to have created and passed over 50 fraudulent checks throughout both Orange and Los Angeles Counties,” Seal Beach Police Department Sgt. Phil Gonshak said in a written release. “At the time of his arrest and inside his vehicle, Wieczorek was in possession of methamphetamine, stolen credit cards, fictitious checks, and a fully operational identity theft/check printing station. The seizure of these items and this arrest undoubtedly prevented countless other citizens from being victimized.”

The total loss experienced by Target is greater than $2,700, according to Gonshak. Seal Beach Police Detectives will be filing charges with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office including, identity theft, possession of stolen property, check fraud, grand theft and possession of methamphetamines.