(WNY News Now) – A Jamestown resident is facing felony charges after allegedly issuing bad checks to obtain a vehicle he later sold.

TOWN OF ELLICOTT — Shane T. Cwanek, 38, of Jamestown, has been charged with grand larceny in the third degree and three counts of issuing a bad check, according to a press release from the Town of Ellicott Police Department.

The charges stem from an incident reported on January 6, 2025, when police received a complaint involving the alleged use of three personal checks with insufficient funds to purchase a vehicle. Investigators say Cwanek knowingly issued the checks and failed to return the vehicle to its rightful owner.

Authorities allege that Cwanek subsequently sold the vehicle, which was later recovered by police.

Cwanek was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Ellicott Court at a later date to respond to the charges. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.