Fake check spurs South County police chase
May 10, 2016
A man accused of cashing a fictitious tax refund check fled police in a motorhome Monday evening. Officers arrested the man after surrounding his RV with guns drawn in an Arroyo Grande parking lot. [KSBY]
Richard Joseph Sams allegedly tried to cash a fictitious $1,900 state tax refund check at a liquor store in Morro Bay. Sams used a fake ID with the name of the person to whom the check was made out, according to the Morro Bay Police Department. At the time, Morro Bay police were already seeking to arrest Sams on a felony warrant.
On Monday evening, Arroyo Grande police spotted Sams driving his RV. Officers attempted to stop Sams, but he led police on a brief chase before stopping at the Oak Park shopping center.
The pursuit ended around 7 p.m. when officers surrounded Sams’ RV with guns drawn. Sams initially refused to get out of the vehicle, but he eventually complied.
Police arrested Sams and booked him in San Luis Obispo County Jail. Sams is charged with a total of 12 offenses, including burglary, passing a fictitious check, unauthorized use of ID to obtain credit and committing a felony while on bail. Sams remains in custody with his bail set at $225,000.
The comments below represent the opinion of the writer and do not represent the views or policies of CalCoastNews.com. Please address the Policies, events and arguments, not the person. Constructive debate is good; mockery, taunting, and name calling is not. Comment Guidelines