Police have taken a 49-year-old man into custody who allegedly defrauded eight shop owners in Labasa town for over $14,000 in 2007.

The man who has been on the run since 2007 and who is originally from Kerebula, Nadi is charged with 32 counts of forgery, larceny, uttering and receiving money by using false documents.

It is alleged the man stole his brother's cheque book and used it to obtain clothes, groceries and a number of other items from shops in Labasa town.

He will appear in the Labasa Magistrate court this Wednesday.