Someone had broken into her apartment, rifled her files and stolen canceled checks.

In addition to ordering checks, members of the group allegedly went to the residences of victims and stole blank checks.

She confessed that she had stolen checks from several homes where she had briefly worked, including the Reids'.

The nurse, police later ascertained, had been stealing checks out of Mrs. Nedermier's checkbook and forging her signature.

Ms. Webster and one of the young woman's aunts said they told the detectives that the woman had stolen checks, credit cards and a truck from her father.

They stole keys, blank checks, $10,000 and her Social Security card, which they needed to complete the fraudulent deed transfer, prosecutors said.

This large number attracts criminals who specialize in stealing and forging checks or bonds from mail boxes in apartment complexes and private homes.

His business ventures mostly ended with police investigations and indictments for crimes such as fraud, passing bad checks, and stealing checks from government employees.

"They're less likely to steal or bounce checks."

An employee of the New York City Finance Department was arrested on charges of stealing checks worth $698,000, investigators said yesterday.