More Than $31k Taken in Check Scheme: New Canaan Police

NEW CANAAN, CT — More than $31,000 in stolen checks were cashed by three suspects in a New Canaan crime spree, according to police.

Police arrested two of the suspects March 27. Police began investigating on Dec. 12, 2015 after a resident reported checks stolen from a mailbox.

More victims were uncovered as police investigated. The scheme lasted for more than a year and involved at least nine New Canaan victims, police said.

The outgoing checks were taken from mailboxes and the payee information was altered. Checks were cashed into multiple accounts using a mobile device.

Wayne Barker, 24 and Kimberly Ruff, 36, both of Norwalk were arrested. Barker was charged with two counts each of second-degree forgery and misapplication of property. Ruff was charged with four counts of third-degree identity theft and one count each of third-degree larceny and second-degree forgery.

Police have been in contact with the third suspect and expect him to surrender in the very near future.

Image of Ruff via New Canaan Police. No photo of Barker available