Burglar Busted Cashing Stolen Checks, Deputies Say

He tried to cash a stolen check. That's when Pasco deputies nabbed Mathew Edward Bellas for a recent burglary at a Land O' Lakes home.

According to a Pasco County complaint affidavit, Bellas, 18, tried to cash a check fraudulently made out to himself for $430 at an Amscot Thursday, Oct. 18. The check belonged to victims of an Oct. 17 break-in in the area. He also admitted to cashing another check at a Bank of America, according to the report.

Deputies detained Bellas, who provided a written confession Post-Miranda admitting the forgery, according to the report. During a search of Bellas's vehicle, deputies found an MP3 player and several checks belonging to the burglary victims.

According to the report, Bellas could not provide a collaborated alibi for the time of the break-in.

Bellas of  25306 Tradewinds Drive in Land O' Lakes, was arrested and charged with burglary, grand theft and uttering a forged instrument. He remained in the Land O' Lakes jail on Friday in lieu of $17,000 bond.