Tarik Toyshawn Smith-Whitmore

On August 11, 2025, law enforcement received a report of a fraudulent check cashed at Al’s Check Cashing located at 1434 93rd Lane NE, Blaine, Anoka County. The reporting party, T. L., told law enforcement that Tarik Toyshawn Smith-Whitmore [DOB REDACTED], defendant herein, came into Al’s Check Cashing around 4:21 P.M. And presented his Minnesota ID card to cash a check in the amount of $18,783.46, which was purported to be from Pinnacle Insurance and Financial Services from an account ending 0012 for an insurance claim for a vehicle.

The account ending in 0012 does not exist. Pinnacle Insurance and Financial Services also confirmed with law enforcement that the claim number on the check did not exist. Law enforcement spoke to defendant, who told law enforcement that he has never been to Blaine, Anoka County, that he has never had a vehicle, that he was never insured by Pinnacle Insurance, but that he received a check from Pinnacle Insurance in the mail. Al’s Check Cashing was charged back the amount from the check and is the victim [NAME REDACTED]. Defendant is also charged with cashing a similar check from Pinnacle Insurance at Your Exchange located in Brooklyn Park, Hennepin County, the same day, less than two hours before this incident at 2:46 P.M., for $18,217.96 in district court file no. ••-CR-••-••••.