Authorities have accused a local man of cashing fictitious checks that totaled more than $1,500.

According to an Iowa City police complaint, Patterson cashed two checks — one for $725.46 and the other for $802.54 — at the customer-service desk at Hy-Vee.

The checks were made payable to Patterson by Timberline Management, which processes payroll for Taco Bell, as well as Laborfinders. Patterson did not have associations with either company, the complaint said.

The clerk wrote Patterson’s driver’s license number on the checks after he displayed his license as identification when cashing the checks.

Patterson reportedly admitted to cashing the checks and told authorities he met an individual and received the checks as a way to make “quick money,” the complaint said.

The complaint said Patterson kept approximately $200 of the money, and gave the rest to the individual.

Forgery is a Class-D felony. Second-degree theft is a Class-D felony.

— by Rebecca Morin