Man tried to cash Karl Malone's check, police say

MURRAY — A man who police say tried to cash a check on a bank account for Karl Malone Properties has been charged with third-degree felony forgery.

Robert Paul Trujillo, 29, West Valley City, told police he got the check from a friend when he was unable to pay for an apartment and heroin, according to charges filed Wednesday in 3rd District Court.

Trujillo attempted to cash the check, written for $3,500, at a Zions Bank at 5595 S. State on Nov. 13. He produced a Chase Visa card and driver's license with his own name on it and provided a fingerprint for the check. When the check came up as flagged, Trujillo became nervous and left, charges state.

The check was one of 17 in a series that were missing and had been reported stolen to Sandy City Police, according to the charges.

A representative from Karl Malone Properties was alerted by Zions Bank about the incident. She verified that the signature on the check, which should have been made by Malone Properties' president, was incorrect.

Police matched Trujillo's fingerprint to the one provided for the check and matched his photo to surveillance images, charges state.

Trujillo was in Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of unrelated drug, theft and weapons violations. 

— McKenzie Romero

Twitter: McKenzieRomero