A 40-year-old Sturgis man is in hot water after he was arrested Friday with a car full of items that would even make Frank Abagnale blush.

At approximately 8:38 p.m. Friday, February 25, deputies with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop in the 64000 block of Balk Rd. in Sherman Township. Deputies stopped the vehicle for an equipment violation but found much more than they bargained for after it was discovered the driver was operating the vehicle without a license, and further investigation was required.

Upon searching the vehicle, authorities found three fictitious state identification cards from three different states, tools used for counterfeiting bills, several counterfeited checks as well as blank business checks. The suspect was arrested and is currently lodged in St. Joseph County Jail on 39 felony charges while awaiting arraignment.

Alek Haak-Frost is executive editor of Watershed Voice.