News Releases

Police Arrest a Suspect for Forgery

Jan 14th, 2010

File Number: 09-12-02390, 09-12-4040

On December 12, 2009 Josef Stewart removed a check from the mail box of the victim and attempted to cash the check at the Regions bank located 4376 Old Shell Road. Stewart scratched out the AT&T on the check and wrote his own name. The teller at the bank recognized the check had been altered, and refused to cash the check, and Josef Stewart left his ID card at the bank. Police have identified Stewart in an additional case where he removed a money order from a mailbox and wrote his name above the victims name on the money order. On December 14, 2009 Stewart was able to cash this money order.

On January 14, 2010 at 9:00 AM police were able to apprehend Josef Stewart after a caller informed police of his location. Upon officer's arrival at the 1700 block of Jarrell Drive in Whistler Alabama, Stewart's Girlfriend 36 year old Tara Haston attempted to hide Stewart. Josef Stewart was apprehended, and Tara Haston was arrested for Hindering Prosecution. Marijuana was found in Stewart's possession at the time of his arrest. Josef Stewart has been arrested for two counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument Second Degree, Marijuana Second Degree and has active warrants with other agencies. Additional charges may be possible for both Haston and Stewart.

The investigation will continue, and more information about this case will be provided as it becomes available. If anyone has information about either suspect, please call the Mobile Police department at 208-7211 or Crime Stoppers at 208-7000.
Reported by: Interim Chief Lester Hargrove

Officer Christopher Levy
Public Information Office
Office: 208-1926
Fax: 208-1758