Postal inspectors seek Fugitive of the Week

CLEVELAND -- Both U.S. Marshals and U.S. Postal Inspectors are in pursuit of a local fugitive wanted for bank fraud.

Rafeal Heard is accused of being the leader of a large check fraud scheme in Northeast Ohio. Authorities say he would open checking accounts for victims by depositing fraudulent checks.

"He's committed many instances of fraud where he'll have his victims open up checking accounts and then he will deposit fraudulent checks in these accounts and then withdraw the funds," said Dugan T. Wong, Assistant Inspector in Charge at the Cleveland office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. 

Heard is also wanted on a warrant by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department for failing to appear for a court hearing. The U.S. Marshal says Heard has a long criminal record.

The Fugitive of the Week's background includes aggravated trafficking in cocaine, drug possession, theft, forgery, tampering with records, weapons possession, and passing bad checks.

Heard is 34 and may be in the area of East 114th Street and Hopkins Avenue in Cleveland. The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information that leads to his capture.

The 24 hour hotline number is 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers can remain anonymous.