4 Busted In Darien On Charges Of Passing Counterfeit Currency: PD

DARIEN, CT — Four suspects were arrested over the weekend after they passed a counterfeit $100 bill in Darien, according to authorities.

The incident occurred at about 6:45 p.m. on Saturday at the Pet Valu store on Old Kings Highway North, and police said that incident followed unsuccessful attempts by the same suspects to pass counterfeit currency at Chocolate Works (where they left a bill and fled) and Wine Port of Darien.

"The bill used at Pet Valu and a $100.00 bill left behind at Chocolate Works had matching serial numbers which confirmed they were counterfeit," stated Darien Police Lt. Jeremiah P. Marron Jr. about Saturday's cases. "Based on descriptions of the suspects provided by store employees and an off-duty Stamford Police Sergeant who observed the vehicle, a regional broadcast was given to surrounding law enforcement agencies."

Later that night, Fairfield police contacted the Darien authorities that Fairfield officers had located and stopped a vehicle in Westport matching the description of the suspects' vehicle.

Darien police officers traveled to Fairfield and took the suspects into custody.

"[The suspects'] vehicle, a 2018 Chevy Malibu bearing Georgia Registration CHA7242, was searched and numerous pieces of evidence were seized connecting them to the Darien incidents as well as incidents in other jurisdictions," Marron said. "During subsequent searches of the suspects, additional counterfeit currency was located. In all, $3,300.00 in counterfeit one hundred dollar bills with the same serial number were recovered in this incident."

The following individuals were arrested:

Destiny Poole, 20, of New York, NY
Bond: $50,000

• 3 counts of Forgery 1st, sec. 53a-138
• 1 count of Larceny 6th, sec. 53a- 125b
• 3 counts of Conspiracy to Forgery 1st, sec. 53a-48/53a-138
• 2 counts of Conspiracy to Larceny 6th, sec. 53a-48/53a-125b

Shelton Anthony Petit-Brun, 27 of New York, NY
Bond: $35,000

• 3 counts of Forgery 1st, sec. 53a-138
• 1 count of Larceny 6th, sec. 53a- 125b
• 3 counts of Conspiracy to Forgery 1st, sec. 53a-48/53a-138
• 2 counts of Conspiracy to Larceny 6th, sec. 53a-48/53a-125b

Dayvon Jordan, 24, of New York, NY
Bond: $35,000

• 3 counts of Forgery 1st, sec. 53a-138
• 1 count of Larceny 6th, sec. 53a- 125b
• 3 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 1st, sec. 53a-48/53a-138
• 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 6th, sec. 53a-48/53a-125b

Raquan Salaudhin Hicks, 23, of Newark, NJ
Bond: $35,000

• 1 count of Forgery 1st, sec. 53a-138
• 3 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 1st, sec. 53a-48/53a-138
• 3 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 6th, sec. 53a-48/53a-125b

Poole had an active arrest warrant from the Fairfield Police Department on a charge of first-degree Failure To Appear, which brough her total bond to $75,000. All four of the suspects were scheduled to be arraigned in Stamford Superior Court today, March 4.

Saturday's incidents mark the latest attempts by alleged scammers to pass counterfeit currency in Darien, according to authorities. On at least three other occasions in the past two years, local stores or residents have been victimized by people passing counterfeit currency.

To sign up for Darien breaking news alerts and more, click here.