PORT ANGELES — The trail of counterfeit money that surfaced in the Port Angeles area in recent weeks has led authorities to suspects outside the North Olympic Peninsula, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said.
Sheriff’s deputies, Port Angeles police and Lower Elwha police each have received a handful of reports of counterfeit $10, $20 and $50 bills, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King said.
Off Peninsula
Two people who used counterfeit bills at the Walmart east of Port Angeles helped investigators determine that the money came from people who live off the Peninsula, King said.
“We’ve been able to identify suspects — suspects that we believe are residing out of the area,” King said.
“We are working with other jurisdictions.”
King would not say where the suspects live, citing the ongoing investigation.
In Skagit County, a Shell gas station and food mart in Anacortes reported receiving counterfeit money three times since March 18, according to KOMO-TV.
Area businesses have received high-quality phony bills with common serial numbers.
Serial numbers
Several $10 bills were marked with the serial number JD80187995A, and several $20 bills were marked with MD36540722B.
Port Angeles police stopped two people who used a counterfeit $50 bill in downtown Port Angeles on Wednesday.
It was determined that they had received the $50 as change and were not aware it was counterfeit, police said.
The Walmart store east of Port Angeles received $400 in counterfeit $20 and $50 bills March 18.
Passing counterfeit cash is a federal crime.
Anyone who thinks they have received counterfeit money is asked to call 360-452-4545.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.