Daniel Nersesov, 21, of Spring Grove, (inset) is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing money from Sarpino’s Pizzeria in Riverwoods. | Background Photo: Google Street View; Inset: Provided

Police say a former employee of a pizza restaurant in Riverwoods stole over $5,000 from the business through a payroll check altering scheme.

Daniel Nersesov, 21, of Spring Grove, was charged with felony theft and two counts of forgery.

The charges stem from an investigation that began last June of a check forgery scheme, according to Riverwoods Police Chief Bruce Dayno.

Dayno said Nersesov reproduced and altered payroll checks from Sarpino’s restaurant, 2017 Milwaukee Avenue.

After making the checks payable to himself, Nersesov electronically deposited them into his own bank account and a family member’s bank account, Dayno said.

Nersesov, who previously worked for the restaurant, did not have authorization from the business.

Seven unauthorized and counterfeit checks led to $5,419.29 in theft, Dayno said.

Nersesov was located in Fox Lake by a Riverwoods police detective around 12:35 a.m. on December 14 and arrested.

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He was charged, processed at the Riverwoods Police Department and released due to the charges being non-detainable.

Nersesov is scheduled to appear in court in Waukegan on December 30.