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 May 9, Robert Booth, owner of SilverLeaf Antiques on Lincoln Avenue 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.

West later called Booth complaining that 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 returned.

Another business caught in the scam was the SilverLeaf, a co-op of antique dealers. One member is Salvatore Falcone of Falcone Jewelry & Coins on Lincoln Avenue. Salvatore attended the free appraisal night and spoke with West about the Renaissance commemorative medallions.

"I told him I hoped he enjoys them and he said 'My parents will really appreciate these.' " Salvatore said. "Damn liar. Bob took the loss, poor man, and he's one of the nicest, most ethical businessmen I know."

Booth said that it was bad enough with the slow economy, and that SilverLeaf is just scraping by.

According to Booth, West is about 5 feet 9 inches, has a medium build, dark hair and a dark complexion.

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.

Pickle still has the returned and cancelled check from Wade, with an apartment address on Tradewinds Drive.

"I sold him a whole load of furniture for $817," Pickle said, "and it was at a discount so the furniture was really worth a lot more."

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.

Problems with bad check writers have been rare but not unheard of at SilverLeaf and The Loft.

Booth recalls a woman who scammed his store two years ago during Christmas. She wrote a couple bad checks totaling $4,400. Booth said that she was eventually caught in Pleasanton, and had a 16 year-old daughter whom she was training to scam.

It's been longer for The Loft, where 95-year-old Pickle had another furniture customer try to pass a bad check. He also was caught, she says.

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."

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.

Staff writer William Jeske contributed to this report.