Canton, Cherokee County, Ga. April 16, 2008- The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is urging residents to be wary of burglary scams in which a white male goes to a home and tells the resident they are doing utility work in the area and would like the resident to walk their property line or offers to do outdoor work for the homeowner. While the resident is distracted, sheriff's investigators suspect a second individual burglarizes the home.

There have been two such cases in Cherokee County recently and similar cases reported in Cobb, Paulding, and Forsyth Counties.

Checks stolen in these burglaries have been taken to Cobb County banks and a black male forges the checks for cash. The checks have been written to a Michael Smithers and a Kentucky drivers license in that name was presented to bank tellers.

Anyone with any information about Michael Smithers is ask to contact the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office at 770-928-0239. Citizens are urged to use caution when approached by a stranger at their home offering to do work or requesting to walk their property line.