Counterfeit Cash A Continuing Problem For Trumbull Businesses

TRUMBULL, CT — Trumbull Police continue to deal with a large number of counterfeit bills being passed to local businesses. Two suspects passed six counterfeit $100 bills at HomeGoods Feb. 18 and escaped with merchandise.

A customer tried to pay with phony money at Old Navy earlier this month as well, said Capt. Keith Golding, police spokesman. In that case police arrested Angel Fernandez, 21, of New York.

There have been at least a dozen cases this past year where fake bills were used in transactions.

"Although only a small number of arrests have been made, the losses include thousands of dollars in merchandise, plus a few thousand dollars of the phony cash that has been recovered," Golding said.

Police have arrested several New York residents in the past year.

There were 12 counterfeit cases at the mall last year compared to the 350 total theft cases reported, Golding said. Still, it's a serious crime and Trumbull reports all counterfeiting cases to the U.S. Secret Service.

As far as state law goes passing any counterfeit money can lead to a felony-level forgery charge.

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