WANTED: Police Say Woman Used Fake $100 Bill At Cotati Bake Sale

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- UPDATE: The Cotati Police Department said Wednesday evening that it has identified a woman accused of using a fake $100 bill Monday to make a purchase from a Rancho Cotate High School music boosters' bake sale, then speeding off with the $80 she received in change.

Cotati police say that with the assistance of the community, they have identified the suspect as Michelle Marie Kruse, and that a warrant has been issued for her arrest.

"If you see KRUSE or know where she is staying, please contact the Cotati Police Department at 707-792-4611," police stated at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in a Facebook post. "Do not attempt to make contact with KRUSE if you see her. Please note that KRUSE'S Honda Accord is now believed to have had its rims painted black in attempts to disguise the vehicle."

ORIGINAL POST:

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- Police in Cotati are seeking the public's help in locating a woman suspected of paying for baked goods from a fundraiser with counterfeit money.

According to police, the woman used a fake $100 bill at about 2 p.m. Monday to purchase baked goods from the Rancho Cotate High School music program, which had set up a bake sale booth in front of Oliver's Market at 546 E. Cotati Ave.

After presenting the fake bill, the woman allegedly asked for $80 in change, which was given to her. She then took her baked goods and walked toward her vehicle, police said.

"The astute RCHS student noticed the $100 bill was fake and attempted to contact the female as she got into her vehicle," police said. "The female noticed the RCHS student approach her and she left the parking lot at a high rate of speed. Not only were the handmade baked goods stolen, the RCHS students also lost $80."

Police were notified of the incident and obtained surveillance images of the woman's vehicle and of her shopping at the market. She is described as white, 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 225 pounds with a tattoo on her left forearm. Her vehicle appeared to be a dark-colored, older model Honda with after-market chrome rims, police said.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Cotati police at 707-792-4611.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Images via Cotati Police Department