Man Accused of Stealing Checks From His Mom

A 43-year-old Racine man is accused of stealing two checks from his mother, then forging them at a Caledonia bank.

Michael J. Engaas was charged in Racine County Circuit Court Thursday with two counts of uttering a forgery. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Dec. 24, Engaas’ mother went to the Caledonia Police Department to report her son had stolen two of her checks, then cashed them for $100 each. The woman said she discovered the theft days before while writing a check to her church, but didn’t want her son prosecuted until after Christmas.

An officer went to Tri-City National Bank and bankers there confirmed they had cashed the checks. The tellers were able to identify Engaas when asked by an investigator because they remembered he wears eyeliner and has shoulder length hair.

The investigator discovered Engaas was already in custody of the Caledonia Police Department for an unrelated charge. When asked about the checks, Engaas immediately said “I did it.”

Engaas is currently being held in Racine County Jail on $5,000 bond while awaiting trial.