Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Thieves are using stolen checks in a racing supply scam based in Southern California. A box of new checks, intended for Gertrude K. Ulrich and carrying her name and the name of John O. Ulrich, was stolen out of the U.S. mail (not from a mailbox) in La Mirada, California. They are the elderly parents of racer John D. Ulrich and the grandparents of racer Chris Ulrich. Thieves have been using the stolen checks to buy racing supplies and stereo equipment for a fictitious Steve Ulrich of Whittier, California, who the thieves falsely claim is the 28-year-old son of John O. and Gertrude K. Ulrich. Since the scam was uncovered and the account in question closed, irate mail-order merchants from around the country have been calling Gertrude Ulrich, who lives in a retirement home, regarding checks written on the account. John O. Ulrich has Alzheimer’s disease and is in a care facility. Anyone with information related to the scam is encouraged to contact Detective John Adams of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at 562-902-2978 or U.S. Postal Inspector Lukalo Watkins at 562-893-8300.