A former volunteer at the Capital Christian Center in Lacey is accused of trying to cash a $976 check written to a day-care facility run by the church.
Franklin Riggins, 21, was being held Tuesday at the Thurston County Jail with bail set at $2,500 after a judge found probable cause to order him held on suspicion of second-degree burglary and forgery. Riggins was arrested Thursday, court papers state.
According to court records:
Olympia police officers began an investigation May 29, after man attempted to cash a stolen check Money Tree in Lacey. The check was issued from the Child Care Action Council and was payable to Jump for Joy, the day care.
The check was not cashed; a Money Tree employee got a copy of the suspect’s driver’s license and Social Security number. They matched Riggins.
Capital Christian Center confirmed the check was stolen. On July 19, detectives talked with Riggins at the Olympia City Jail, where he was being held on an unrelated matter. Riggins said he had access to a cash offering at the church that had not been accounted for or had not been placed in the safe. He also admitted to stealing an iPad from the accounting office at the church.
Riggins added that “he unlawfully entered the accounting office on five to ten occasions.” He admitted he took a check from his mother’s house that had been written to the Capital Christian Center’s day care, but said he was unable to cash it.
Riggins has told court officials he “couch-surfs” with friends, and has applied for housing with Community Youth Services.
Capital Christian Center Pastor Dwayne Deskins said Tuesday that he is no giving up on Riggins.
“Our desire is for the young man to figure life out and be successful in life,” he said.
jpawloski@theolympian.com
360-754-5445
theolympian.com/thisjustin
@JeremyPawloski
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