Suspected con man caught

WASILLA -- An alleged con artist who reportedly wrote bad checks at businesses throughout the Valley was arrested last week at the First National Bank in Wasilla, police reported.

Melvin Shawn Rutherford, 46, reportedly sold the same story to at least five businesses in the Mat-Su, convincing owners to give him cash in exchange for a bad check. On each occasion, victims told police, a man came into their business, received a phone call that his wife had just been in a car accident and then asked if he could cash a check.

Business owners say Rutherford looked upset and shaken after the phone call and some agreed to give him cash because it seemed like an emergency.

The checks were usually for $100 to $200, and were drawn on a First National Bank account that had been closed since July 2000, according to court documents.

Most recently, on Nov. 10, Alaska Industrial Hardware reported receiving a $100 check from Rutherford; another Valley business owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said Rutherford took him for $500 last year.

Other Valley businesses recently taken in by Rutherford's alleged con include Tub N Tan, Mekong Thai Restaurant, Mocha Moose and Best Western Lake Lucille Inn.

Since the publication of a news article about Rutherford on Nov. 5, the Frontiersman has received several phone calls from individuals who said they have been conned by Rutherford.

Citing personal reasons or embarrassment for having been swindled, callers asked not to be identified but said Rutherford tricked them or their businesses out of hundreds of dollars over the past two years.

Previously, Rutherford reportedly told people his father was dying in an Arizona hospital and he needed cash for a plane ticket to go see him, or needed money for the medical bills. An individual in Texas reportedly sent Rutherford $3,500.

On Nov. 12, Wasilla Police received a tip that Rutherford was at the First National Bank off the Parks Highway. He was arrested without a struggle on two counts of issuing a bad check and transported to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, where he was released the same day on $2,000 bail.

Rutherford's arraignment is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Nov. 23.

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.com.