An investigation into the theft of more than a dozen checks from the BryanLGH Heart Institute has led to charges for three people this week.

On Thursday, prosecutors charged Shari Bernhardt, 31, 315 S. 26th St., Apartment 1, with two counts of second-degree forgery for allegedly forging two of the checks for $1,500 and cashing them May 29 and June 1 at Union Bank.

A day earlier, Teresa Sierra, 34, 2633 P St., was charged with two counts of second-degree forgery for allegedly forging a $450 check May 22 and an $800 check May 23 at a Lincoln Wal-Mart.

Steven Howerton, 58, a transient, is accused of a single count of second-degree forgery. Police believe he forged another of the stolen checks for $460.75 at a Wal-Mart on May 20.

Sierra and Howerton remained in jail Thursday afternoon. Bernhardt posted bond.

Officer Katie Flood said the BryanLGH Heart Institute reported 17 checks stolen June 23. They were taken between May 3 and June 6 from the accounting office.