Two Wichita men arrested in connection with local counterfeiting

Albrecht, Gramke also accused of identity theft, making false information, theft

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (Jan. 25, 2022) — The Arkansas City Police Department arrested two Wichita men Jan. 22 at a local hotel in connection with ongoing counterfeiting that is under investigation.

Matthew Duane Albrecht, 30, was arrested on suspicion of two felony counts each of identity fraud and making false information, as well as one misdemeanor count of theft of property or services. He was transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield in lieu of $15,000 bond through Cowley County District Court in Arkansas City. Albrecht remained in custody at the time of this release.

Aaron Scott Gramke, 38, was arrested on suspicion of one felony count each of counterfeiting, identity theft and making false information, as well as one misdemeanor count of theft of property totaling less than $1,500 in value. He was transported to and booked into the county jail in lieu of $25,000 bond through Arkansas City district court. Gramke also remained in custody at the time of this release.

Starting Jan. 18, the Arkansas City Police Department began investigating numerous cases involving counterfeit U.S. currency, along with false identifications that were being used throughout the city to secure transactions and the passing of a fake check.

Officers were dispatched Jan. 22 to Super 8 by Wyndham, located at 3228 N. Summit St. in north Arkansas City, for a report of a male suspect who had rented a room using a paper identification that was later determined to be fake.

When they arrived, officers located and later arrested both Albrecht and Gramke.

Anyone with information about counterfeiting is encouraged to call the Arkansas City Police Department at (620) 441-4444 or (620) 441-6601.

Specifically, anyone who recently has received a check from a “Jared Brown” should call Detective Lt. Jason Legleiter at (620) 441-4435.

Those wishing to remain anonymous also may contact Cowley County Crime Stoppers, which offers rewards of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest, by calling (620) 442-7777 in Arkansas City or (620) 221-7777 in Winfield.

Additionally, the Arkansas City Police Department now offers the ability to “Submit a Tip” anonymously on its website at https://bit.ly/acpdtips.

Tips also can be submitted anonymously by texting COWLEYTIPS to TIP411 (847411).

This is an ongoing investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

A defendant’s guilt or innocence is to be determined by a court of law.