Lang
5/20/23
Iowa City Police say a woman accused of cashing fraudulent checks claimed she was doing it as a favor to an illiterate friend.
According to arrest records, 27-year-old Tiara Roberts of South Van Buren Street reported to police just before 1:30 Thursday afternoon that someone had signed her name to stolen checks and used them at Hy-Vee and a Hills Bank ATM. Roberts had claimed to have heard it from a mutual friend, but said she was not with him at the time.
The other person claimed Roberts had used him to cash the fraudulent checks and keep the money for herself. Roberts later reportedly told police she cashed the checks for the man because he was unable to read or write.
Police say they have video evidence of Roberts and the other subject together at Hy-Vee during one of the transactions.
Roberts was taken into custody just after 10am Friday near the intersection of Wayne Avenue and William Street. Investigators say a search of her backpack turned up glass and metal pipes with burnt residue, a digital scale, several small baggies, and a white powdery substance in a jar that Roberts allegedly admitted was methamphetamine.
Roberts is charged with Making a False Report to Law Enforcement, Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2nd Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. If convicted on all charges she faces a maximum of 26 months in jail.
