Restaurant Employee Allegedly Attempts to Cash Stolen $3,000 Check

A Portsmouth man and former employee of the , at 524 Main Road, Tiverton, allegedly attempted to cash a business check without the owner's knowledge, according to the .

Anthony J. Lucci, 44, of 68 Oliver Hazard Road, Portsmouth, was arrested at 2:03 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 22. He is charged with larceny under $500. According to Lt. Patrick Jones, Lucci turned himself into court in Newport on Nov. 27 and was arraigned on Tiverton's charge.

Jones said police received a complaint from the owner of Restaurant 524 about a recently terminated employee, identified as Lucci.

"The owner alleged he had several business checks that were unaccounted for," Jones said.

The owner told police he called the , at 2628 East Main Road, to alert them in the event someone to tried to cash their check. The bank replied to the owner on Sept. 23, according to police.

"He was notified a short time later that an attempt was made, and that Mr. Lucci allegedly attempted to cash a business check in the amount of $3,000," Jones added, saying Lucci was refused.

Tiverton launched the investigation and charged Lucci with the one larceny count. Jones said since the check was still blank he's only being charged with the larceny of the physical check.

Lucci allegedly attempted to forge it and pass it, but was unsuccessful. That incident remains under the investigation by the .

Updated at 2:20 p.m.

Portsmouth police and charged him with attempted larceny over $500.

Lucci pleaded not guilty to the felony charge at his September arraignment.