Fairbanks Locksmith Charged In $500,000 Theft From Stroecker Estate

The alleged theft dates to Dec. 29, 2010, when Holton was called to Key Bank in downtown Fairbanks by Stroecker’s estate attorneys, Richard Hompesh and Matt Blattmachr.

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By Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Story Created: May 17, 2011 at 9:42 AM AKDT

Story Updated: May 17, 2011 at 9:42 AM AKDT

 FAIRBANKS — Fairbanks locksmith Forrest R. Holton was arrested Saturday by Fairbanks police on a charge of felony theft of national currency notes from the estate of the late William “Bill” Stroecker. The notes have an estimated value of $500,000.

The alleged theft dates to Dec. 29, 2010, when Holton was called to Key Bank in downtown Fairbanks by Stroecker’s estate attorneys, Richard Hompesh and Matt Blattmachr. The key to the late banker’s four safety deposit boxes could not be found and Holton was called in to drill the Diebold boxes open.

According to Don Dennis, spokesman for the Stroecker estate and foundation, the theft didn’t come to the attorneys’ attention until months later, when they were spotted on an auction site based in Dallas.

“These items are rare enough that a number of (local) people became aware of it before the estate was, and notified the estate,” Dennis said.

The theft was reported to Fairbanks police on April 19, and an investigation began.

Holton was identified as the person who sold 10 antique currency notes to the auction company on Jan. 26, for $82,000, and deposited the check on the same day into a personal account at Wells Fargo Bank.

Holton also was found to be negotiating a sale of another 30 to 40 notes with an East Coast currency dealer. 

On Saturday, the police investigator met Holton at Fairbanks International Airport as he was returning from a combined vacation/work trip, and took him into custody.

Holton made a verbal and written confession that stated he stole a red cloth envelope containing the notes. He was escorted to his home, where the rest of the notes were recovered from a chest of drawers, and then to a rented storage unit where two uncut sheets of currency were secreted behind a photograph hanging on the wall. The uncut sheets were not initially reported as stolen, but they are estimated to be worth $250,000 together. 

Holton was arraigned Sunday. Bail was set at $100,000 and a third party custodian.

Stroecker, a banker for 60 years, was born in Fairbanks in 1920 and died here on Nov. 10. The bulk of his fortune, estimated to be worth millions of dollars, is bequeathed to a wide variety of nonprofit community and national organizations. Distribution will be handled through the W.G. Stroecker Foundation, which is being organized.

Contact staff writer Mary Beth Smetzer at 459-7546.

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Anony1 said on Monday, May 23 at 10:29 PM

If you ask me, Diebold should accept 1/3 the responsibility! Whomever didn't follow procedures per the Institution 1/3, and of-course Forrest is also responsible. Lack of leadership, lack of honor, and pure stupidity is what this reeks of... BTW, bank technicians, locksmiths, security professionals aren't exempt from failures. Of all the locksmiths I've ever come in contact with, the above two statements are par for course. Always about covering your ass. No, let's not call him a locksmith, call him a Bank Technician... as if that really makes a difference. Fact of the matter is, he was both. And Action Security, love them or hate them, ARE locksmiths and technicians. Diebold primarily works with bank contracts, but look at the definition of a locksmith in the dictionary and you will find that Diebold also fits into the same category. And Paul, your right, his actions were just not good. Keep him in your prayers, he most likely will need all that he can get. Peace everybody...

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, May 18 at 5:00 PM

This gentleman was not working for a locksmith company. He works for Diebold, a national security company that mostly works in financial institutions, as a BANK Technician. Obviously procedures were not followed by all parties involved here. This should not be reported as a locksmith committing a crime and reflect on any locksmith in the community.

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Paul H. said on Tuesday, May 17 at 10:57 PM

the last time i knew this man he was working for a big locksmith company, and was working in juneau. i'm glad i am no longer working for Action Security. this is a black mark to the locksmithing community. this paints locksmiths as untrustworthy. his actions are just not good.

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