An Alabama business reported several stolen checks in February. Months later, Auburn police arrested a Lanett woman on theft and identity-theft charges.
India Mychelle Carlisle, 29, was arrested July 25 after investigators said checks stolen from a business in the 1500 block of Professional Parkway were fraudulently deposited into a personal account, according to WTVM.
The Auburn Police Department said Carlisle was identified as a suspect during the investigation, and warrants were obtained for her arrest. The charges are accusations and have not been proven in court.
The Checks Were Reported Stolen in February
Auburn police said the case began when a business reported that several checks had been stolen. The checks were later deposited into a personal account, turning the theft report into a fraud and identity-theft investigation.
The reported location was in the 1500 block of Professional Parkway in Auburn. Police said the thefts happened during February 2026.
The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office helped take Carlisle into custody on July 25. She was transported to the Auburn Police Department for questioning and later booked into the Lee County Jail.
Lee County records listed a $10,000 bond. Carlisle was charged with first-degree theft of property and identity theft.
Businesses Should Match Cleared Checks Against Their Own Records
When business checks go missing, the first step is to contact the bank, identify the affected check numbers, and ask whether any checks have already been presented, altered, deposited, or paid.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency advises account holders to review bank statements regularly and report unauthorized or altered checks as soon as they are discovered.
Businesses can also ask their bank about Positive Pay, a service that lets a company provide the bank with authorized check details so mismatched items can be flagged before payment. Blank check stock, signature stamps, online banking credentials, and check registers should be limited to employees who need them, and cleared-check images should be compared against the company’s own payment records.
A business investigating suspected check theft should save check numbers, bank alerts, deposit images, cleared-check images, account statements, internal payment records, surveillance footage, access logs, employee notes, and documents showing when the missing checks were last accounted for.