By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Four people face felony charges after Rowan County authorities made a traffic stop on Interstate 85 and found counterfeit and stolen checks, as well as fraudulent prescriptions, in a rental car.

The stop was made Thursday near the northbound on-ramp from East Innes Street sometime after 10 p.m.

The driver, Juwan Arkie Kyler, 28, and three passengers — John Minter, 41, Anthony Donell Mackin, 28, and Tarance Darel Thomas, 44, were all charged with one count of felony identity theft, two counts of forgery and counterfeiting of an instrument. All men received a $100,000 secured bond. Anthony Mackin and Juwan Kyler have since been released.

Thomas and Minter’s names were found on several of the fake checks as well as that of a third person who was not in the vehicle. Thomas was in possession of nine counterfeit prescriptions for phenergan with codeine. The prescriptions were drawn on the name of Community Clinic of High Point.

Authorities said five different names were used on the prescriptions. Officials found four stolen checks in the vehicle, three of which were business checks and one a personal check. Two checks were stolen from the Wilmington area, one business check was taken from Isle of Palms, South Carolina, and a personal check was stolen from the Roanoke, Virginia, area.

According to Deputy Chief David Ramsey, the men had taken the routing numbers and names on the checks and re-created numerous fake checks drawn on those accounts.

Ramsey said he expects more charges in this case.

Minter is from Greensboro but most recently lived in Monroe. Kyler is from Raleigh, but an address for him lists a Charlotte residence. Mackin lives in Charlotte, and Thomas, who is from South Carolina, most recently lived in Charlotte.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.