BLANCHESTER — Two Hamilton County men accused of recently cashing forged payroll checks in Blanchester have been arrested and charged with felony forgery.

BPD Chief Scott Reinbolt said that on Friday, Sept. 28 the Cincinnati Police Department notified him that CPD had arrested John Voris and Shaun Norris in that city on warrants held by the Blanchester Police Department.

“Cincinnati police reported they tried to stop a car with four occupants, when all four fled the car,” said Reinbolt. “Cincinnati police apprehended Voris and Norris, who were two of the individuals who fled. Both were interviewed by Cincinnati police at our request, then transported to the Hamilton County Jail.

“On Sunday evening a Blanchester police officer traveled to the Hamilton County Jail and took custody of Voris and Norris and delivered them to the Clinton County Jail.

He said Assistant Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew McCoy was briefed on the status of the case Monday morning and approved the upgrade of the charges against the two from misdemeanor theft to felony forgery.

Reinbolt said both Voris, 26, and Norris, 29, answered the felony charges in the Clinton County Municipal Court Monday morning; however, “they were released on a personal recognizance bond due to the county jail being full,” he said.

Between Saturday, Sept. 15 and Tuesday, Sept. 18, Blanchester police received four reports of forged payroll checks being cashed at the Save-A-Lot grocery store at 127 S. Broadway St. and Tom’s Express Mart at 7529 Fairground Road.

BPD had identified Voris, Norris, and Shawna West, 46, also of Hamilton County, as the perpetrators.