HUTCHINSON – A Kansas man made a first court appearance in Reno County on Monday on various of fraud and forgery charges.

Markus Drake, 43, Wichita, is accused of passing forged checks at Westlake Hardware, Orchelin’s Farm & Home, a Dillon’s Fuel Center and Dillon’s Grocery Store.

He faces five counts of forgery, five counts of making false information, three counts of theft by deception for three businesses within a 72-hour period, three counts of attempting theft by deception within that same time period and seven counts of identity fraud.

He also allegedly was in possession of a number of fake IDs when he was arrested.

The arrest of Drake came just before 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Westlake Hardware store at 1304 N. Main in Hutchinson.

During his court appearance Monday, his $37,000 bond was reduced to $5,000. He is scheduled to be back in court on July 22.