Fergus Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — A man from Elk River is facing a felony charge in Otter Tail County after police say he tried cashing a forged check worth more than $2,700 at a Fergus Falls bank.
According to a newly filed criminal complaint, officers with the Fergus Falls Police Department were called to a local bank on November 18 after staff reported a suspicious check. A teller said a man wearing dark mirrored sunglasses entered the bank and immediately acted in a way that raised suspicion.
The complaint identifies the suspect as Daryl Kim Jungroth, 51, of Elk River. Bank staff reported that Jungroth removed a folded check from his pocket, signed it quickly, and slid it across the counter. The teller said he also placed his identification card on the counter before being asked, which the staff found unusual.
Bank employees examined the check, which was written for $2,775.80 and made out to Jungroth from a local store. The business was a bank customer, so the staff contacted the store directly. Store records showed that the check number had not been issued and was not part of their active sequence.
When told the bank would not cash the check, the staff said Jungroth became confrontational and demanded the check back. The bank kept the check, and Jungroth left on foot.
Officers located Jungroth near a nearby grocery store shortly after the call. Police say he provided identification that matched the bank’s photocopy. He admitted he had tried to cash the check and said he was “pissed off” when the bank refused.
Jungroth told officers the check supposedly came from a foreman at a construction job. He could not provide a company name or a clear explanation of the job site, saying only that he had worked on a cabin near a lake. He also said the check was for “about $500,” not knowing the actual amount.
Prosecutors have charged Jungroth with felony offering a forged check, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine under Minnesota law.
The case remains under investigation and will move forward in Otter Tail County District Court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
