The suspect, known as Wade D. West, has defrauded antiques stores of at least $3,800 in the last month, most recently Los Gatos Antiques and Antiquarium. Previously West visited shops in San Jose, writing checks from a Wells Fargo bank account that he had closed.

On June 3, Antiquarium co-owner Denise Harr sold more than $500 worth of merchandise to the man who had the name Wade West printed on his checks and driver's license. "He was your typical buyer that buys all your little Antiquarium hoo-ha's," Harr said. "He was really nice. He told me about his 14- and 15-year-old kids. He told me that he had just moved to Los Gatos."

West made his purchase but also put some items on hold, giving a West San Jose address and phone number to Harr. After he left, Harr said she had a "feeling" from that particular customer. "It's me who called the bank and said, 'Something's not right there,' " she said. She found that the check was for a closed account—"And, of course, his cell phone number belonged to some other woman."

That same day, the suspect went next door to Los Gatos Antiques. He bought a 14-carat-gold ring with a diamond, along with a pearl and gold ring and an antique dresser set, which totaled $1,152.

West provided owner Marsha Schmitz with the same address that he had given Harr, along with the location of his alleged new home—on a nonexistent street in Los Gatos. And, the number that he gave Schmitz—1.800.GO.WESTS—proved to be a fax line.

Once she found that the check was bad, Schmitz filed a report with the Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Department. Although police referred her to the Santa Clara County District Attorney Bad Check Restitution Program hotline, the officer "said [West] has a narcotics conviction" and had previously been arrested, Schmitz said. "I started calling around and found this man had written bad checks all over."

Schmitz got in touch with Robert Booth, owner of SilverLeaf Antiques on Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen. In May, Booth held a free appraisal night at his store. West "just came through and picked out several items," Booth said. "I was a little suspicious because of what he bought and his overall demeanor. He had a frown on his face and he really didn't look like he was enjoying it."

But because West had legitimate identification—this time with a South San Jose address—Booth allowed him to purchase several 24-carat-gold plated medallions, a sword and a pipe, totaling $952. Booth remained suspicious, however, processing West's check separately. "The bank has since closed his account," Booth said.

Booth was contacted later by West, who complained because he thought the medallions he bought were 24 carat gold, not gold-plated. Booth offered to let West bring the items back, planning on notifying police when he arrived. "I tried to make it sound as inviting as possible," Booth said, but the suspect never arrived.

According to Booth, West is around 5 feet 9 inches, has a medium build, dark hair and a dark complexion. Harr said he looked like one of the judges on television's American Idol, with a spiky hairstyle.

When Booth discovered the crime, he notified other local antiques businesses and was told that Loft Antique Shop on Lincoln Avenue had lost $817 and Briarwood Antiques & Collectibles on W. San Carlos Street $408, both to West. Booth also alerted stores in San Jose of the man, and the store owners have hung signs up "not to process any of [West's] checks."

According to Loft owner Dovey Pickle, W. San Carlos Street's Antiques Colony was visited by West; "he came in there, but they didn't sell him anything," Pickle said.

Booth recently completed the paperwork to file a report with San Jose police, and phoned in to the county's bad check restitution program. The response letter from the county, however, thanked him for his "interest in the bad check restitution program" and came with a brochure.

"I'm trying to get something resolved, not participate in this fun thing," Booth said.

Los Gatos police are not investigating the case, referring victims to the county restitution program. "So often these things cross jurisdictions," said Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Sgt. Kerry Harris. "It doesn't make sense to have five different agencies working five different investigations."

Victims, however, are taking matters into their own hands. Like Booth, they are spreading the word to their peers in nearby communities, asking them to watch out for the man who goes by the name Wade West.

"If he came back, I'd lock the doors and call the police," Schmitz said. "I'd like to see them catch him because he just seems to have this air of, 'It's OK.' "