Man accused of forgery, larceny
A man who is accused of stealing more than $8,000 from his grandmother, attempting to burglarize a house in Adams and stealing a car was jailed Thursday without bail.
John R. Barker, 28, formerly of the town of Watertown but who recently moved to Brooklyn, is facing at least eight charges following separate investigations by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, Watertown police and state police.
He was arraigned before town of Watertown Justice Andrew N. Capone and was sent to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building to await grand jury action. His charges are third-degree grand larceny and second-degree forgery by the sheriff's office; attempted second-degree burglary, second-degree forgery and petit larceny by state police, and unauthorized use of a vehicle, false personation and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, cited by city police.
The sheriff's department alleges that he stole checks from his grandmother, Eleanor A. Barker, town of Watertown, and began forging and cashing them early in March at various locations in the county for a total of at least $8,000. Mrs. Barker became aware of the problem when her bank advised her of unusual activity in her account, Detective Scott E. Sterling said. Mr. Barker wrote one check to himself for $525, the department charged.
State police charged that on Tuesday he signed Mrs. Barker's name to a $435 check at Trendy's Discount Fashions and Accessories, Route 342, town of LeRay, according to the town of Watertown Court file.
The attempted burglary count accuses him of entering without permission on the morning of April 29 a home at 59 Spring St., Adams, according to the court file. The alleged intrusion attempt was interrupted by the resident.
He initially was taken into custody by city police at 2:50 a.m. Thursday in the 400 block of Newell Street. Police said he was driving a stolen Nissan Altima owned by Tamera L. Brown, Route 126, Watertown. While being questioned, he identified himself as Jonathan R. Baker, police said.
Mr. Barker has stolen from his grandparents previously. In 2004, he was convicted of petit larceny and second-degree criminal impersonation for using his grandfather Robert W. Barker's credit card to pay a $1,409 hotel bill.
He also has convictions for felony driving while intoxicated in 2008 and third-degree assault in August, the victim being listed as his wife, Jessica.
