Counterfeit Bills Surface in North Webster
Thursday evening, North Webster Police Officer Candy Smythe received a call concerning some counterfeit bills that were presented to a cashier at Ace Hardware, located at 733 S. Main St., in North Webster.
Officer Smythe tells StaceyPageOnline.com that Dominic Macaroni, manager of Family Attractions Amusements LLC, the carnival that is currently in North Webster for the 2012 Mermaid Festival, attempted to make a purchase at the store with a counterfeit $50 bill.
“The cashier knew immediately just by touching it,” said Officer Smythe, who took the initial call. “She was able to show him with the pen.”
The cashier went through of all Macaroni’s bills with a special pen that identifies counterfeit bills and found a total of four fake $50 bills. According to Macaroni, the bills were originally acquired by the carnival while it was in Indianapolis.
“He was very cooperative,” said Officer Smythe.
While it is possible that there are more counterfeit bills yet to be discovered, Officer Smythe stated that she does not believe there will be further issue for the North Webster community, as the fake bills originated in Indianapolis, not North Webster.
No arrests were made and the North Webster Police Department does not intend to pursue charges.
The case was handed over to the Secret Service earlier today. The Secret Service handles all counterfeit bill cases in the United States. The bills are sent via Secret Service protocols with a case report and a letter requesting a notification of receipt and change of custody for the North Webster Police Department’s records.
The 2012 Mermaid Festival in North Webster begins on Wednesday, June 13.