Counterfeit bills circulate in Suffolk

SUFFOLK, Va. - Suffolk police tell WAVY.com several counterfeit bills have circulated throughout the city.

Police say a one dollar bill used to buy a pack of cigarettes from the Holiday Food Store on Carolina Road was found to be counterfeit. Since then, several other counterfeit bills have been discovered. This was one of at least five fake bills used recently in Suffolk, police said.

A counterfeit $20 bill was used to pay a water bill on June 22, a counterfeit $100 bill was used at a 7-Eleven to buy lottery tickets on June 22, and a counterfeit $20 bill was passed at the Happy Shopper on Carolina Road -- among others, according to police.

Public Information Officer Debbie George says counterfeit money usually shows up in spurts. She says, typically, if one counterfeit bill shows up, others will follow.

Suffolk police have investigated nearly twice as many counterfeit incidents between April 1 and July 26 of this year, as compared with the same period in 2008.

Anyone with information should call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (562-5887).