Man jailed for check scam

Police: $24,000 in bad checks written

Intelligencer Journal

Jun 12, 2009 01:16 EST

Quarryville

By BRETT HAMBRIGHT, Staff Writer

A Maryland man has been charged with writing bad checks at more than 10 Lancaster County businesses in nine townships, including several Amish-owned stores.

Kenneth William Gleason Jr., 39, of Cockeysville, Md., is accused of writing checks on closed accounts to purchase goods worth more than $24,000, according to state police.

Gleason was first arrested in March but posted bail and later became a fugitive when new allegations arose.

He was at Lancaster County Prison on Thursday night, charged with 13 misdemeanors and a felony related to the alleged three-year scam, court documents show. All together, the charges carry maximum prison sentences that would exceed 50 years.

Gleason wrote the checks at southern and eastern Lancaster County businesses between 2005 and 2008, buying mostly hardware, according to investigators.

According to state police Trooper Gerard Sauers, Gleason targeted: Esh Hardware, Smyrna Grove Manufacturing, Zook's Sawmill, Sunset Valley Metalcraft, Leola Fasteners, Jay E. Martin General Hauling, Pequea Hinge and Harness, New Holland Supply Co., Specialty Lumber Co., Holtwood Supply and Windy Hill Sheds.

District Judge Stuart Mylin arraigned Gleason Wednesday and set bail at $5,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 18.

E-mail: bhambright@lnpnews.com