A man suspected of passing fraudulent checks across multiple parishes was arrested after being detained at Brookshire’s in Rayville.
Chief Markus Turner states the department received a call from Brookshire’s manager Tavares Sawyer regarding a male inside the store who was suspected of previously cashing fraudulent checks.
Chief Turner, along with Capt. Tim Colvin and Sgt. Jeff McDonald, were dispatched to the scene and were able to detain the suspect. Brookshire’s management and a cashier positively identified the man and confirmed his involvement as the individual responsible for the previous fraudulent activity.
The suspect was identifi ed by his Louisiana driver’s license as Melvin McFarland. Chief Turner states multiple law enforcement agencies, including Delhi, Columbia, Monroe, and Bossier — all home to Brookshire’s stores — have open complaints involving a suspect matching McFarland’s description.
McFarland was formally arrested and charged with three counts of theft by fraud and three counts of monetary instrument abuse and was transported to the Richland Parish Detention Center.
The investigation remains active, and authorities believe more charges may be forthcoming as other jurisdictions continue their reviews.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Rayville Police Department at 318728-4431.
