An elaborate identity theft and fake check scheme has cost Kentucky banks thousands of dollars.

Police say several women have cashed the checks at banks in Lexington, Georgetown, Mt. Sterling, Nicholasville, Somerset, Shelbyville and Winchester.

An alert store owner in Georgetown noticed some of the suspects and called police with a description of their vehicle. Police stopped the car and arrested four suspects Monday night. Vanessa Regalado, Alexis Ramos and Jacqueline Barnes are all now charged with 50 counts of forgery.

A man, 23-year-old Marcus Jones, was also arrested. He is charged with trafficking physical evidence.

Police had been looking for two other women, who went by the aliases of Tiffany Scott and Sade Easley. There is no word on whether they have been caught, as well.

Police say so far, the women have stolen $40,000.

A fifth woman, Dominique Bell, has been arrested in Pulaski County in connection with this case.