Lee Shirley Arrested for Uttering Forged Instrument

On 08-07-15, Publix employees notified the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office that a black male entered the store at 1400 Pinehurst Drive in Spring Hill and presented a payroll check to the customer service associate. The check was from Workforce Alliance Solutions in the amount of $495.66 and it was made payable to Lee Shirley. The male also provided a Florida identification card to the associate for Lee James Lamar Shirley.

The diligent associate immediately went to retrieve a manager, after realizing he had previously seen a Publix alert bulletin cautioning employees on checks from Workforce Alliance Solutions.

When the associate returned with a manager, the male fled the store, leaving behind the check and the identification card.

A short while later the male returned to the store to request his identification back. The associate advised him it was being turned over to law enforcement. The male fled a second time.

Detective Chris Vascellaro obtained video surveillance of the incident. The male on the video appeared to be Lee Shirley, based on similarities to his identification card photo.

Investigation revealed that the check was counterfeit.

Lee Shirley was positively identified through photo packs as the individual who attempted to cash the counterfeit check.

On 09-01-15 a warrant was obtained for the arrest of Lee Shirley.

On 09-25-15, Lee James Lamar Shirley B/M DOB/08-22-1987 turned himself in at the Hernando County Detention Center. He was charged as follows:

• Uttering a Counterfeit Check.

Shirley bonded out a short time later after posting $2,000 bond.