Former Bears player Buster Skrine on the run from Canadian police: multiple reports originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Canadian police are currently hunting for former Bears cornerback Buster Skrine, according to multiple reports. TMZ was the first to report.
Skrine, 35, was expected to appear before a judge in Durham Region in connection with accusations of defrauding Canadian banks with fake checks in 2023, but did not appear on that date. Authorities say her GPS ankle bracelet is also inactive.
The former Bears defensive back had been free on bond since April 12. The Durham Regional Police Service now hopes to find Skrine and file additional charges against him, including failure to appear in court and comply with a release order.
Police initially arrested Skrine in August 2023 for defrauding several Canadian banks out of $100,000.
FURTHER: Former Bears defensive back arrested for allegedly defrauding Canadian banks
Skrine targeted “numerous financial institutions” to obtain cash illegally, the Durham Regional Police Service said at the time. The police department claimed that Skrine would identify himself as a retired NFL player, open bank accounts with fraudulent checks and earn a fraction of the money before the checks were cashed.
He reportedly used this scheme several times at different banks in Canada. The police department then felt they had “reason to believe” he was connected to many scams of this nature.
Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, Skrine played 11 seasons in the NFL. He played four seasons each with the Browns and New York Jets before signing with the Bears before the 2019 season.
Skrine played two seasons for the Bears in 2019 and 2020. He played in 28 games, defending eight passes, forcing three fumbles and recording 114 total tackles.
He last played for the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers during the 2021 season.
According SpotracSkrines earned more than $40 million in career earnings during his time in the NFL.