Woman arrested for passing bad checks in Springfield

Suspect was previously in prison on charges of involuntary manslaughter and theft.

A woman has been arrested for passing several bad checks at two different banks in Springfield.

A warrant for Bonnie Lee Bittner’s arrest was issued on Aug. 8 and she was taken into custody on Aug. 22. Bittner was arrested on suspicion of five felony counts of forgery and one count of receiving stolen property.

She was due in court at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

The owner of Springfield’s A&E Powder and Coating told police that 12 counterfeit checks had been passed on his business account. The checks were passed at two different Home City Federal Savings banks.

The checks had his proper bank routing number and account number and a good forged signature, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by News Center 7. The woman was not an employee of the A&E Powder and Coating, according to the business owner.

On July 11, Bittner was accused of passing a check of $1,452 at the bank at 63 W. Main St. On the same day, police said a check of the same amount was reportedly passed at the bank at 2454 N Limestone St.

Then, on July 15, police said Bittner passed a check of $1,559 at the Main Street bank. She again traveled to the North Limestone location and passed another check of $1,559.

There is surveillance video of this woman at each location, according to police.

Police say the woman was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in August 2000. She was sentenced to four years in prison.

Bittner was also convicted in October 2000 on charges of theft, tampering with records and aggravated arson. She was released in July 2010.

About the Author