Four arrested in funny money fiasco!

A sharp-eyed mall employee is credited with putting an end to a counterfeit caper by four teenagers in the city this weekend. 

On Saturday, police got a complaint from a retailer who suspected customers were paying for product with counterfeit American currency.

Police say two youths used the moolah to pay for product totalling $90 through two separate cashiers at a North Bay pharmacy.

Shortly thereafter, the four went to Northgate on Fisher Street and used three counterfeit American $50 bills to pay for product at a department store through three separate cashiers, while the fourth used a counterfeit American $20 bill to pay for food at a fast food restaurant.

Suspecting the currency was fake, a department store staff member called 911. Police were sent immediately and found the suspects in a vehicle parked in the mall parking lot where they were arrested.

North Bay Police arrested and charged one adult and three young persons.

An 18-year old Brampton male was charged with:

• one count of possessing counterfeit money;
• one count of possession of marijuana; and
• one count of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

A Brampton youth was charged with:

• one count of possessing counterfeit money;
• three counts of uttering counterfeit money;
• one count of possession of marijuana;
• one count of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000; and
• one count of breach of probation.

A Brampton youth was charged with:

• two counts of uttering counterfeit money;
• one count of possession of counterfeit money;
• one count of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000;
• one count of carry concealed weapon; and
• one count of possession of marijuana.

An Etobicoke youth was charged with:

• one count of possession of counterfeit money;
• one count of carry concealed weapon;
• one count of possession of marijuana;
• one count of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000; and
• one count of possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose.

As a result of a search after their arrested, police seized:

• three knives;
• the merchandise purchased with the counterfeit money;
• counterfeit American currency totalling $1,770;
• Canadian currency obtained as change following the counterfeit transactions; and
• the adult male’s vehicle was seized as offence-related property.

All four were held in custody for bail hearings.