Counterfeit cash seized by Vernon RCMP is pictured in this submitted photo. A 35-year-old man has been arrested in Vernon with a wad of counterfeit bills and equipment used to make the fake money.
Image Credit: Vernon North Okanagan RCMP
March 03, 2020 - 11:25 AM
A 35-year-old man has been arrested in Vernon with a wad of counterfeit bills and equipment used to make the fake money.
According to a Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media release, officers made the arrest after following leads which started when a store assistant reported a man had used a counterfeit bill at a business in the 4500 block of 27 Street at around 6:30 a.m. yesterday, March 2.
RCMP said over the last few weeks there have been several reports to police about an individual using fake bills at local businesses.
Several hours later at 10:30 a.m. police received a report of a possible impaired driver and the licence plate and vehicle description matched that of the earlier fraudster. By the time police arrived on the scene the vehicle had left the downtown and could not be located. However, at 4 p.m. police returned to the area at 30 Avenue and 31 Street to find the vehicle unoccupied.
"The police officer decided (to) set up surveillance on the vehicle in hopes the driver would return," Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Copl. Tania Finn said in the release. "Fortunately, our officer did not have to wait too long as he saw an individual matching the description from the earlier fraud exit a business on 30 Avenue."
As police approached the suspect he re-entered the store and tried to leave through a different exit. Police managed to catch up with him and he was arrested without incident. The media release says police searched the suspect and located instruments and tools used to create counterfeit currency along with several hundred dollars of counterfeit Canadian currency in a variety of dominations. The suspect had just used fake bills to in the store.
A 35-year-old Kelowna man is now in custody facing numerous charges including making and possession of counterfeit money.
The RCMP believes there may be other businesses that have received the counterfeit currency. Police advise businesses to see if the bill is fake, look closely at the hologram and ensure the denomination matches the denomination on the bill. Police also say to examine the edges of the bill to see if they are poorly cut and not uniform. The bill should also feel smooth and not waxy or rough. Any suspect bills can be verified by a bank.
RCMP say if your business has fallen victim to this fraud, to contact them at 250-545-7171 to report the incident.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
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