Lake City Police report that counterfeit currency has been discovered by 10 local businesses since July 15.
To date, the Lake City Police Department has received ten separate complaints of counterfeit money being used by customers.
A clerk from S&S Food on N. Marion Avenue reported an unknown black male presented a $50 bill for a $3 item during a busy time in the store, on July 15 at about 8 p.m. The customer was given his $47 change and left the building. The bill was discovered to be counterfeit after the rush by the clerk, who then called police.
On July 18 at 7:09 p.m., the cashier from CVS on US 90 reported that an unidentified black female attempted to pay using a counterfeit $20, but was refused and she walked out of the store.
On July 18 at around 8 p.m., the store manager from CVS on Baya Drive called to report that sometime during the evening a customer presented three counterfeit $20 bills for purchase of goods.
On July 22 at 3:30 p.m. a customer attempted to pay for merchandise at the Family Dollar Store on S. Main Blvd. using a counterfeit $50 bill.
Also on July 22, at 8:15 p.m., the clerk from S&S on E. Duval Street reported a black male came into the store and attempted to pay for several items using a counterfeit $20 bill. She added that another customer attempted to pass a $50 bill earlier in the day, but the sale was refused.
Again, on July 22 at 10:45 p.m., a heavy set black male entered the S&S on N. Marion Avenue and attempted to purchase items using a counterfeit $50 bill.
On July 23, Best Western Inn on U.S. 90 called to report a middle-aged white male stayed overnight at their hotel and insisted on paying with cash. The subject paid cash for the room with two counterfeit $50 bills.
On July 24, the Assistant Manager at McDonalds on S.W. Main Blvd. reported that, over the previous several days of business, their store had taken in two $20 and one $5 counterfeit bills.
On July 24, a clerk called from the Sav-A-Lot on E. Duval Street called to report a black male was just leaving the store after attempting to pay for two packs of hot dogs with a counterfeit $20 bill. When asked about the bill, the subject fled the store in an unknown direction.
Chief Gilmore stated, “Our investigators are working hard to apprehend the suspects who are committing this counterfeit operation in our community. We need our business owners to be proactive and to be alert to any suspicious activity as they exchange currencies in their businesses. Don’t hesitate to call us and report the suspicious activity.”
Sergeant Investigator Paul Kash of the Lake City Police Department Criminal Investigative Division (CID) is spearheading the investigation. Sgt. Kash
recommended local businesses take a few extra seconds and feel the bills, check for known security measures in the currency and utilize their counterfeit ID pens.