Stafford Township, NJ – March 6, 2025 – Following an investigation into a check washing incident, the Stafford Township Police Department has obtained a warrant for the arrest of Elijah M. Avant, age 25, of Mays Landing, New Jersey.

On January 2, 2025, Dubois & Associates, located at 195 N. Main Street in Manahawkin, reported a case of check washing that had occurred in previous months. The investigation revealed that a mailed check had been intercepted, altered, and fraudulently cashed. The modifications included changes to both the recipient's name and the check amount.

As a result of the investigation conducted by the Stafford Township Police Detective Bureau, a warrant was issued for Elijah M. Avant on March 6, 2025. Avant has been charged with the following offenses:

• Third-Degree Forgery (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1a(3))
• Third-Degree Receiving Stolen Property (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a)
• Third-Degree Theft by Deception (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4)