Police: Allentown Man Passed Phony Paycheck

An Allentown man was arraigned on charges Monday that he cashed a bogus check at a SouthSide pawnshop, according to court records.

Kwesa S. Drakes, 29, of 941 Hamilton St., brought , 20 W. Fourth St., a $389 paycheck ostensibly from the on Easton Avenue.

The pawnshop quickly became suspicious of the check, according to court papers. Police investigating found that Drakes was not employed by TR&J Inc., the owner of the Kentucky Fried Chicken, the arrest record says.

The payroll company confirmed that it had not issued the check, which should have had 14 different security features, while the check Drakes cashed had none, court papers said.

The warrant notes that Drakes’ criminal record features 10 previous counts of forgery.

Drakes is charged with felony forgery, theft by deception and bad checks. He was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail following his arraignment before .