On April 1, the Redmond Police Department (RPD) responded to the Target store located at 17700 N.E. 76th St. in Redmond when a man was suspected of purchasing a mobile phone and a printer ink cartridge using counterfeit money.
The man left the store and headed to Fred Meyer at 17667 NE 76th St, where RPD identified his vehicle and made contact with him. Having already collected the counterfeit from the store and seeing Target bags inside the car, officers seized the vehicle and found more counterfeit on him, $290 total.
After coordinating with local agencies, RPD determined the suspect had counterfeiting and theft police cases with Bellevue, Issaquah, King County and Federal Way.
After obtaining a search warrant, RPD searched the vehicle and found multiple retail items believed to be purchased with counterfeit money. Officers also found a book with the suspect’s handwritten notes detailing which Eastside stores accepted counterfeit funds, interactions with cashiers and more. In a hidden pocket of the notebook detectives found an additional $590 in counterfeit bills. Officers also found illegal drugs and paraphernalia inside the vehicle.
Redmond officers compiled a summary of the suspect’s actions and presented probable cause for multiple charges. The suspect was linked to five different Redmond police cases alone. On April 12, the King County prosecutor charged the suspect with three counts of forgery and two counts of third-degree theft.
RPD tips for businesses and cashiers
Counterfeit bills can come in lower denominations ($20 or $10 bills);
If a customer presents a $100 bill for a very low-priced item, check it closely.
Texture and feel of a counterfeit is often very different from a real bill.
Hold the bill up to a light to view the watermark in an unprinted space to the right of the portrait. The watermark can be seen from both sides of the bill since it is not printed on the bill but is imbedded in the paper.
Hold a bill up to a light and look for a holograph of the face image on the bill.
Looking at the bill through a light will also reveal a thin vertical strip containing text that spells out the bill’s denomination.
If your business suspects a counterfeit bill
Do not put yourself or employees in danger.
Do not return the bill to the passer.
Delay the passer with some excuse, if possible.
Observe the passer’s description – and their companions’ descriptions – and write down their vehicle license plate numbers if you can and call 911.
Do not handle the counterfeit note. Place it inside a protective cover, a plastic bag, or envelope before giving to authorities.
