PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WTVG) – Thousands of dollars in counterfeit cash are now off the streets after a bust by Perrysburg Township Police.
They’re bogus bills that came from New Jersey and almost made it to California.
The next stop for this whole thing is federal court where now four people face counterfeiting charges.
It might look like real money but when investigators from Perrysburg Township Police and the Secret Service noticed the same serial number, something didn’t add up.
It’s all part of a counterfeit money ring busted outside the Home Depot on Fremont Pike earlier this month.
“As Perrysburg is growing, we are getting a lot more retail. I think it’s got a lot to do with our large-scale theft rings or crime rings we’ve had running up and down the turnpike,” said Lt. Jason Gladney with the Perrysburg Township Police Department.
Four people now facing federal counterfeiting charges. They are Tiffany Anderson, Chardea Hughes, Wade Wallace, and Jajuan Worley.
After investigators searched their vehicle, more than $33,000 in counterfeit bills were found. That group and the vehicle were spotted when an unmarked Perrysburg Township unit outside Home Depot noticed suspicious behavior. After a few traffic violations officers pulled the car over.
“He took the time and just kind of sat on the vehicle and watched it. Found some of the behaviors odd,” said Lt. Gladney.
The suspects gave investigators all kinds of stories. One person said they came from New Jersey, went to a casino in Philadelphia then headed westbound for either Chicago or Compton, California.
One of the suspects told police that they went to the Home Depot to use the bathroom. On their trip from New Jersey across the Ohio Turnpike to Fremont Pike, was the Home Depot the closest bathroom?
The I-TEAM took that route and found multiple businesses with a bathroom for the public including Meijer, Walmart and Kroger. There are several restaurants and fast food stops along the way as well.
“The next car you stop may be someone different, and we’re looking for things that aren’t normal or things that are abnormal,” said Lt. Gladney.
All four defendants have already appeared in front of a federal court judge.
The public is always reminded to tell the police when they see something suspicious. Investigators said you don’t know what’s going on until you know what’s going on.
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This article was published by WTVG on 2024-11-26 01:13:00
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