Police make arrests after rash of bogus bills

Greater Sudbury Police have arrested a 48-year-old woman in connection with a rash of counterfeit U.S. currency being passed in the region in February and March.

Two men — one age 24, the other age 21 — have also been arrested for allegedly using counterfeit U.S. currency.

In early February, GSPS was warning businesses and employees that it had received numerous complaints about counterfeit U. S. bills, mostly $100 denomination, circulating in the area.

Even as bogus bills continued to be used at grocery and department stores in the city, the police dug into an investigation. Descriptions of those using the bills were obtained from witnesses and video surveillance, and police say they were able to identify a suspect.

On March 30, officers attended an address on Hawthorne Drive and arrested a 48-year-old woman who they allege have been involved in nine incidents. She faces 33 charges, including uttering forged documents, possession of counterfeit currency and fraud.

She will appear in court later this month, GSPS said.

Police made two other arrests in connection with the case of the counterfeit bills.

A 21-year-old Greater Sudbury man was arrested and charged Jan. 27 with three counts of uttering forged documents and three counts of fraud under, after being caught trying to exchange apparent U.S. $100 bills for Canadian currency.

Then in late March, police say two men tried to return items valued at more than $500 to a Sudbury drug store that had been purchased at a Sturgeon Falls pharmacy. Told there was not enough cash in the register to do the return, the men left, only to return two days later to try again.

By that time, management had spoken with the Sturgeon Falls pharmacy and discovered the items had been purchased with counterfeit money. GSPS was contacted while the men were still in the store, and one of the suspects was still on hand when police arrived.

Arrested, the 24-year-old was charged with two counts of fraud under, as well as possession of property obtained by crime and possession of marijuana.

Need help identifying a fake U.S. bill? The GSPS suggests visiting the Secret Service website. Police also suggest keeping a legitimate U. S. bank note on hand for comparison.