A guest’s report of suspicious bank activity has led to the arrest of an on-site worker at Walt Disney World, according to newly released law enforcement details. Deputies say the man, who was employed by Town Park—a contractor operating at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas—now faces charges tied to an alleged check forgery scheme.
Investigation Began After Guest Noticed Unusual Transactions
The situation reportedly unfolded after a guest staying at the resort received unexpected alerts from her bank on December 3. The guest told authorities she noticed four checks she did not write or authorize, totaling nearly $1,300. When she looked for her checkbook, she realized it had gone missing.
Deputies reviewed the suspicious payments and found the checks were written to “Michael Henrichsen.” That name led investigators to 21-year-old Mason Reid Henrichsen, who had been working at the resort through Town Park. While the arrest occurred on Disney property, the suspect was not a Disney employee—something Town Park later clarified in its public statement.
Suspect’s Explanation Raises Questions
When investigators located Henrichsen, he reportedly offered an explanation: he said he found a blank check in the parking lot and wrote an $88 check to himself. He told detectives that he attempted to deposit it at a bank near Disney Springs, but the transaction was declined and no money made it into his account. The affidavit did not indicate that his explanation covered the additional checks reported by the victim.
Company Acknowledges Incident and Assists Law Enforcement
Town Park confirmed it is aware of the case and is cooperating fully with investigators. Companies contracted to operate on Disney property are responsible for their own hiring, oversight, and disciplinary procedures; therefore, Disney did not issue a public statement about the arrest.
Charges and Next Steps
Deputies ultimately arrested Henrichsen on charges of grand theft by fraud and forgery of a check. The case will proceed through the court system, where prosecutors will determine whether additional actions are required. As with all criminal matters, the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
For guests, the situation underscores how important it is to report irregularities quickly—especially during travel. In this case, a timely call to authorities helped launch an investigation that traced the checks back to the individual reportedly involved.
