A Seymour couple were arrested after an investigation into reports someone had been making purchases with stolen checks at a local store in Seymour and then returning the purchases for cash.

Leslie D. Taskey, 35, and her husband, Christopher J. Taskey, 38, each face three counts of fraud on a financial institution, a Level 5 felony.

The events that led to the arrests Tuesday began in early April when police believe that someone stole a checkbook from an older man who lives on Hustedt Street in Seymour, Seymour Assistant Police Chief Craig Hayes said.

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Hayes said Christopher Taskey had offered to help the man cut his grass and do odd jobs around his house.

Around April 20, the situation was reported to the police.

“The victim knew both of them, and he had realized his checking account was overdrawn and suspected them,” Hayes said.

On Tuesday, the couple were arrested when stolen checks were used at Walmart to make purchases, including a weed eater and a gas grill, police reported.

Personnel at Walmart called police to report a suspicious matter after the couple paid for the items by writing a check and then immediately returned them for cash.

Hayes said this happened three times.

“Walmart personnel figured out something wasn’t quite right,” he said.

The Taskeys were arrested at the store at 1600 E. Tipton St. and booked into the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown. They were being held without bond Wednesday morning pending initial hearings.

Christopher Taskey also was arrested Jan. 20 for battery and was out of jail after posting bond. His convictions in Jackson County include battery and theft, according to court documents.