Release Date: December 4, 2007

Contact:

Theresa Pollara, Senior Deputy District Attorney

(805) 654-2505  

District Attorney Gregory Totten announced today the sentencing of Christopher Strauch (DOB 1/31/89) of Port Hueneme . Strauch pled guilty to one count of PC 459 second degree commercial burglary and was sentenced to 180 days in the Ventura County jail.

The sentence stems from Strauch's attempt to cash a stolen check. Strauch was a passenger in a vehicle driven by another suspect who grabbed a purse from the arm of the 61-year-old victim in the Ventura Target store parking lot. The force of the grab pulled the victim against the car. The victim fell to the ground, injuring her elbow. The defendant took one of the victim's checks into a check cashing business, but was unsuccessful in passing the forged check.

Cashing a check belonging to someone else is a crime. If you suspect that you have been a victim of forgery, fraud, or identity theft, contact your financial institution and the authorities immediately. The District Attorney is committed to combating this form of victimization which can affect anyone at anytime.