HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The next time someone offers you a $100 bill, think twice, especially in Ottawa County.
Ottawa Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Buter emailed an alert to media saying police have seen a spike in reports of counterfeit bills, often in $100 denominations, showing up in area retailers’ cash drawers. Many of those shops are in Holland Township.
The most-recent incident, he said, involved a report from the Hobby Lobby on Felch Street, regarding a man, described as black and in his late 20s to early 40s, using a fake $100 bill to make a small purchase, walking away with what Buter called “a sizable amount of the now-fraudulently obtained monies.”
Suspect descriptions in recent incidents include men and women, of all races, he said.
Retailers should be more cautious when given larger denominations of bills, Buter said, especially when the customer is making a very small purchase.
Markers used to detect fakes aren’t 100 percent accurate, he noted, adding that “most of these bills feel noticeably different and in some cases are not even squarely printed on the paper.”
Police continue investigating these incidents and encourage anyone with any information to call Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT or visit www.mosotips.com to share tips anonymously. Silent Observer offers cash rewards for tips leading to arrests and convictions.
