Couple charged in investigation of worthless checks 07-11-05

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
EAST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
LIEUTENANT RANDALL MEDEIROS
PHONE: 961-2252
JULY 11, 2005

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Big Island police have arrested and charged a couple wanted in the investigation of a case in which bad checks were passed around the island.

On Saturday, police arrested and charged Michael W. Mara, 29, with three counts of negotiating worthless instruments and three counts of theft. His bail was set at $6,000.

On Sunday, Natasha Catriz, 19, turned herself in at the Hilo police station after learning that police has issued an all points bulletin for her regarding the investigation. Catriz was then arrested and charged with three counts of negotiating worthless instruments and three counts of theft. Her bail was set at $6,000.

Catriz had previously been arrested on a no bail bench warrant and was being held at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center. Her bail was reduced to $3,000, and she was able to post bail before police investigators had an opportunity to interview her.

East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives are continuing investigations into the possibility of other checks that may have been passed.

The Hawaii Police Department also thanked members of the public for their assistance in the investigation. It was a tip that led to Mara’s arrest on Saturday.

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