Two Accused of Passing Forged Checks at Greenfield Bank

Two Milwaukee men are accused of passing forged checks at BMO Harris Bank branches in Greenfield and Bay View.

Milton G. Collins, 59, and Sammie D. Tumbs, 46, were charged in Milwaukee County Circuit Court Friday with one count of uttering a forgery. If convicted, they each face up to three years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint: On Sept. 10, Collins passed a forged check for $1,870 in Bay View, then Tumbs passed a $1,658 check at the Greenfield location. Both checks were drawn off a bank account for Volkman Millroad Builders.

Later that day, Collins then came into the Greenfield branch and tried to pass another check drawn from the account valued at $2,756. However, the branch manager was suspicious of the authenticity of the check and even though Collins was well dressed, there was something peculiar with his tie knot.

Collins then asked for his ID and check back after 10 minutes, but the manager said she couldn't give him the check back. He said he was going outside to tell his ride to wait a few more minutes, but after walking out of the bank, Collins disappeared behind nearby businesses. The men were eventually tracked down by Greenfield police officers.

Collins said he was leaving his apartment near North 12th Street and West Burliegh Road when two men approached him about making $200 per check to pass the checks. The men asked if Collins knew anyone else who needed to make money, so he though of Tumbs and they went to pick him up from his house.

Collins and Tumbs said the men then gave them nice clothes to dress up in, then drove to a south side restaurant where they picked up some envelopes. They then took Collins and Tumbs to the banks to cash the checks.

Tumbs is free on a $1,000 signature bond while awaiting trial. Collins failed to appear in court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.