Valentine Smithutter
DENVER, N.C. – The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says they arrested a Charlotte man who attempted to pass a fake check at a drug store then led deputies on a chase.
Tuesday night, deputies responded to the Walgreens in the 7300 block of NC 73. Officials say Valentine Herbert Smith, 45, and another man attempted to pass a fake check to pay for more than $230 in merchandise.
The store’s clerk notified a manager when the check would not process, and the manager called 911.
The store manager asked Smith for identification, who then produced an ID card with the last name removed, officials say.
Deputies say one of the men walked out of the parking lot, while Smith got into a vehicle and fled down Highway 16, into oncoming traffic.
Smith turned onto Smith Cove Road, then into a development, deputies say, and were alerted by a resident who saw the suspect vehicle speed toward the dead end of Smith Cove Road.
Smith was found sitting in his vehicle, with the headlights off, talking on his cellphone, according to officials. He was taken into custody without further incident.
The second suspect was not located.
Smith is charged with one felony count each of uttering a forged instrument and obtaining property by false pretense, in addition to misdemeanor charges of resist, delay and obstruct a public officer, false/fictitious name/address on registration application, speeding while attempting to elude arrest and conspiracy.
Smith was booked in to the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under bonds totaling $10,000.
