Police Use Stun Gun to Subdue Fleeing Check Forger

A 56-year-old Milwaukee man is facing charges after he was caught trying to pass a forged check at a Menomonee Falls business where he had done the same scheme several times before.

Vernon Haste was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Wednesday with one count of identity theft for financial gain and one count of obstructing an officer. If convicted, he faces nearly seven years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Feb. 4, police were called to after Haste came into the business and was trying to pass a forged check for $861. Employees noted Haste had passed bad checks at the store before, so they called police, who also recognized Haste when they arrived.

When Haste saw officers he began to flee on foot through the store and parking lot until he eventually slipped on a snowy area of the ground and was then stunned with a Taser.

Haste insisted he was the person who was named on the check, but was unable to produce an ID. Police searched his car where they found a packet of other ID’s and numerous checks written out to other people.

Haste is out of custody and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.