Two Geneva residents charged with forgery

Two Geneva residents face felony forgery charges after stealing and cashing checks to feed a drug habit, authorities said.

Delany S. Ellis, 20, and Dennis A. Sanello, 21, both of 1321 Whitfield Drive, are each charged with eight counts of forgery and theft by deception of more than $1,000.

A conviction on the most serious charge could result in a two- to five-year prison term.

According to a Geneva police report, a 59-year-old resident reported to police Oct. 16 that six personal checks had been stolen from his home.

A week before, the man received a call from an Aurora currency exchange that Ellis was trying to cash a $380 check from him. The currency exchange employee became suspicious because Ellis cashed a $300 check the day before, according to a police report.

That transaction was denied, but three other $300 checks were cashed, according to the report.

Sanello's stepfather confronted him about the missing checks.

"Sanello stated that he and Ellis owed a drug dealer money and that is why they stole the checks and the money," according to a Geneva police report.

Sanello was arrested by North Aurora police in 2005 for possession of a controlled substance and possession of hypodermic needles. He was convicted and sentenced to a two-year boot camp.

Ellis was being held at Kane County jail on $40,000 bond. Information about Sanello was not available.

They are due in court next Friday.

Geneva Police Cmdr. Joe Frega said the two were arrested at about 4:45 p.m. Thursday following a traffic stop at McDonald's in Geneva.

He could not specify which restaurant it was or if the two were boyfriend and girlfriend.

"They were working together," Frega said.