Wall Police Charge Two in Bad Check Scheme

A Newark woman and an Irvington man have been arrested in connection with depositing fraudulent checks at a number of banks, Wall police reported Thursday morning.

The arrest stemmed from a Spring Lake police sergeant noticing a car matching the description of the suspect car sought by police.

On Wednesday at approximately 3:45 p.m., Spring Lake Police Department Sergeant Anthony Ploskonka observed the suspect vehicle near a bank in Spring Lake. 

A motor vehicle stop was conducted on Main Street in Lake Como. Subsequent to the multi-jurisdictional investigation, Shawn E. Hemmings, 33, of Irvington, and Sophia Jones, 20, of Newark, were arrested, Wall police reported in a prepared statement.

Hemmings was charged in Wall Township with two counts of conspiracy to commit third degree forgery. He was also charged in Spring Lake with one count of conspiracy to commit third degree forgery. 

He is currently being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, on $60,000 bail, with ten percent, as set by Wall Township Municipal Court Judge Joseph F. DeFino. In addition, Hemmings had an active Jersey City warrant in the amount of $350.

Jones was charged in Wall Township with two counts of third degree forgery. She was also charged in Spring Lake with one count of third degree forgery. Following processing, she was released on a summons. 

Authorities are asking anyone with additional information to contact the detectives on the case, Det. Rick Pasqualini and Det. Elio Scarpa of the Wall Township Police Department. They can be reached at 732-449-4500.

Wall police said they will not be releasing a photo of Hemmings.

To read the first Patch story about this case, click here.