Las Cruces Police looking for man allegedly passing bogus checks

An arrest warrant has been issued for a man Las Cruces Police suspect of passing fake traveler’s checks in exchange for merchandise at local retailers.

Raymond L. Adkins, who has addresses in San Antonio, Texas, and Lynwood, Calif., is charged with 10 counts of forgery. A nationwide warrant for Adkins’ arrest was issued by a Magistrate Court judge in Las Cruces.

Las Cruces Police say that on July 7, Adkins selected $4,789.21 in electronics from Best Buy, 2280 E. Lohman Ave., and used 10 “American Traveler’s” checks to purchase the items. Each traveler’s check indicated a value of $500.

Adkins allegedly obtained the merchandise and $210.79 in change before leaving the store. After Adkins left the store, an employee called to verify the checks and discovered they were fictitious.

Police say that around two hours later, on that same day, Adkins allegedly passed 10 travelers checks at the Best Buy on Sunland Park Drive in El Paso. Those 10 checks were also discovered to be fake.

A similar incident was recorded in September 2014 at a Best Buy store in Torrance, Calif. Adkins is the suspect in that case, as well.

Adkins is black, 5-feet-9-inches tall and weighs approximately 190 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

The Las Cruces Police Department encourages merchants to verify all checks – traveler’s checks and personal checks – prior to accepting them for payment.

Las Cruces Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to Adkins’ arrest. Anyone with information on Adkins’ whereabouts is asked to call Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a tip by text message to CRIMES (274637), keyword LCTIPS.

The Crime Stoppers number and text messaging services are operational 24 hours a day and you do not have to give your name to collect a reward.