Middleton police asked for help identifying a man investigators suspect fraudulently cashing checks at a local bank earlier this week.

Police said shortly before 1 p.m. on Monday, a man at State Bank of Cross Plains at 8301 University Ave. cashed checks that the account holder told police had gone missing a month ago.

Middleton Officer in Charge Sgt. Darrin Zimmerman said the account holder told police the checkbook was lost or stolen from his car.

Police released images from bank surveillance footage Saturday afternoon and asked anyone who can identify the man in the photos to call the department at 824-7300 or the agency's tipster line at 824-7304.

The photos show a white man who looks to be in his 20s with a short facial hair wearing a brown flat cap, black hooded sweatshirt over a zip up with horizontal gray-and-black stripes.

Police did not release information about how much money was involved in the check transaction.

Middleton police are warning residents about a spike in home burglaries, including many in the Stonefield neighborhood.

Six burglaries have been reported in the Stonefield neighborhood since late last year, with at least two other burglaries in Middleton.

Police said there have also been as many as 28 burglaries in nearby Madison.

Most of the burglaries have occurred between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., police said.

Investigators said that the burglars have generally been targeting homes that don't have any lights on, or where it appears no one is home.

"We really think that they're probably looking in either a window or maybe they're knocking on a door, ringing on a doorbell, and then when they get no response, or they see no movement inside of the home, then they're entering the home," said Troy Hellenbrand of the Middleton Police Department. "We're thinking the one connection between all the burglaries is that the home appears to be unoccupied."

Incidents with fake $5, $10, $20 bills spur warning    

On Monday, Middleton police warned residents and business owners to beware of counterfeit money due to a couple recent incidents.

According to a Middleton Times-Tribune report, Sgt. Troy Hellenbrand said some individuals had attempted to use fake $5, $10 and $20 bills at area businesses. 

Police also shared photos of people investigators are seeking to identify.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at 608-824-7300.

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