Hot Springs Woman Arrested for Forgery and Theft

A woman from Hot Springs, Brandy Michelle Richards, was taken into custody on Wednesday following an arrest warrant related to allegations of altering a stolen check and attempting to cash it at a local bank. The incident occurred in August of last year.

Charges against Richards include second-degree forgery, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and theft by receiving under $1,000, a misdemeanor with a maximum jail term of one year. Despite having no prior felony history, the accused was released on the same day after posting a $4,500 bond. She is scheduled to appear in Garland County District Court on February 2.

The probable cause affidavit reveals that on August 1, the victim received a call from Southern Bancorp notifying her that Richards, a known suspect, was at the bank attempting to cash one of her checks valued at $400.06. Suspicion arose when the bank employee noticed that the check seemed forged, as it had originally been issued for $100.06. The victim confirmed that she had written the check over a year ago to a local beauty supply company. Upon inspection, it was evident that the “made to” line had been scratched out and Richards’ name added.

Subsequently, the victim reported to the Hot Springs police, suggesting that the check must have been stolen at some point after she had initially issued it.

Detective Matthew Cheatham, assigned to the case, obtained video footage from the bank, capturing a female entering the premises and attempting to cash the check. However, the bank refused to honor the transaction, leading the woman to leave. By comparing the video footage to Richards’ driver’s license photo in their system, Cheatham was able to positively identify her. A warrant for her arrest was subsequently issued on September 11.