CONOVER, NC (WBTV) – The investigation into a rash of counterfeit bills in the Conover area has turned up unlikely suspects, say police.
A 20-year-old man, Devin Yancey, was arrested Friday and charged with counterfeiting and more arrests are expected.
Police say their information has led them to focus on a group of young people. "Some high school students and some that recently graduated from high school," said Sergeant Jon Little of the Conover police Department.
Conover has had 21 fake bills turned in since the first of the year. Nearby in Hickory, police there have seen three dozen counterfeits. It is not known if the cases in Conover and Hickory are connected.
Police believe that at least a few may be, but that more than one group is probably responsible for high number of bills that have turned up since January 1st.
Local merchants are checking all bills from $5 and up. Denise Spivey, who works at a corner convenience store in downtown Conover, said she checks every bill by holding it up to a light.
A watermark can be seen showing the face of the president off to the side of the printed face on the bill and a hidden strip can be seen showing the denomination.
"Counterfeits don't have that," said Little.
In most cases, when the bills have been discovered the person passing them had no idea they were carrying a counterfeit.
"That has made this a tough investigation," said Little. Most people can't remember where they got each individual bill.
The Secret Service has been involved in the investigation and police say anyone caught making the bills will face serious charges.
Anyone who thinks they have come across a fake bill needs to turn it in to their local law enforcement agency, say authorities.
Someone who knowingly passes a fake bill could face felony charges.
