A man out of Pike County was recently arrested after a woman reported that her checkbook had been stolen and then used to purchase auto parts. 

The woman called Pikeville Police to inform them that her checkbook had been stolen from her mailbox, and then used at auto parts stores in both Pikeville and Coal Run.

Following their investigation, officers determined that 45-year-old Michael Joseph Branham, of Pikeville, had used the checks to purchase over $800-worth of auto parts. He is said to have later returned some of the parts in exchange for a cash refund. 

Upon being questioned by police, Branham informed them that the woman had given him permission to use her checks to purchase the parts for her car, which he described as a Pontiac Grand Prix, parked at a local motel. He could not remember the color of the car. 

Coincidentally, the woman had not been to a motel and did not own a Pontiac. Branham was arrested on charges of forgery and theft.