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Crime & Safety

Tosa Man Charged With Stealing Checks From Milwaukee Restaurant

Suspect accused of cashing two checks taken from a locked desk in a downtown restaurant basement.

A 37-year-old Wauwatosa man is facing charges after he allegedly stole two checks from his employer and then cashed them in his name.

Dana James Johnson was charged Thursday in Milwaukee County Circuit Court with one count of theft. If convicted, he faces up to nine months in prison and $10,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

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On Aug. 17, the owner of Espana Restaurant and Bar, 800 N. Plankington Ave., contacted Milwaukee police officers after he discovered Johnson had cashed two unauthorized checks from the business in his name for $160 and $350.

The man said he keeps the checks in a locked desk drawer in the basement of the business and has them pre-signed to pay vendors.

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Officers then went to Community Financial, 4525 W. North Ave., where they found security video footage of Johnson coming into the bank and cashing the checks.

He will make his initial appearance in court Oct. 2.

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