DURHAM, N.C. — Durham police have raised a red flag after several incidents of checks being stolen from local mailboxes, then altered and cashed.

Police said on February 25, a check was stolen out of a mailbox in southwest Durham County that had the red flag raised for the carrier to pick up.

The check was originally written to a credit card company for more than $2,000. Police said after it was stolen, the check was altered to be made payable to Kenneth C. Johnson and was cashed at a Durham bank.

The bank transaction was caught on surveillance tape.

Police said that Johnson, the man on the tape, could be driving a black Chevy Cavalier. A warrant for his arrest has been issued, but he has not been located.

Police said they are investigating three other similar cases.

On Thursday, police said a check for more than $3,000 was stolen out of a mailbox with the red flag raised in northern Durham County. A suspect vehicle was seen and described as being gold, 4-door and possibly foreign-made.

Police do not know if the incidents are related.