Counterfeiters strike in southern Greene County

CAUGHT IN THE ACT: An alert cashier at Hasler's Junction examines a $20 bill that turned out to be a fake. Police are looking for the man and woman caught on video surveillance trying to use the counterfeit bill to purchase a soft drink. Detectives believe the couple knew the bill was counterfeit and want to alert other area merchants to watch their bills carefully. (Photo provided by Greene County Sheriff's Department)

Greene County Sheriff's Detective George Dallaire is warning cashiers and merchants to pay attention to their bills coming in and be aware the suspects might try to use the bills in other locations.

Dallaire said deputy Aaron Smith was dispatched to the Hasler's Junction convenience store around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Hasler's Junction is located at the intersection of U.S. 231 and State Road 58 -- south of Bloomfield.

The store called after a white male, accompanied by a white female, attempted to make a purchase with a counterfeit bill.

"He was going to buy a 20-ounce Mountain Dew with a $20 bill," said Dallaire. "The cashier took the bill but said it just didn't feel right. When she turned to let someone else look at it and run a special pen on the bill, both the man and the woman took off."

They left the bill, and the Mountain Dew, behind.

Dallaire says they got out of there fast -- they knew the bill was counterfeit.

The woman, described as having long blond highlighted hair, got into the passenger side of a white four-door Grand Priz-type car.

The man got in the driver's seat and away they went.

Dallaire explained the car might not have been a Grand Priz but was that basic style of vehicle -- police are working on the video to try to glean more details.

So far, officers who have viewed the video have not recognized the suspects so they're asking for help from the public.

THE GETAWAY: The couple caught on video trying to pass a counterfeit bill got into a white four-door car and fled the scene, quickly exiting the parking lot at Hasler's Junction after a cashier spotted their fake bill bearing the serial number ID17909132A. (Photo provided by Greene County Sheriff's Department)

Both Dallaire and sheriff's detective Christopher McDonald are working on the case.

Also, the cashier and other store employees do not recognize the suspects. Dallaire said the majority of customers at Hasler's Junction are regulars who live in the area or travel by there regularly but the suspects are not familiar.

The suspects could be from Greene County, a neighboring county or from much farther away. And attempts to pass the bills could have been made anywhere.

"We've called the Secret Service," said Dallaire explaining they track the serial numbers on reports of counterfeit bills, but they have not received any other reports on the serial number that was on the bill in the local incident.

The serial number is ID17909132A -- on a $20 bill.

The detectives are also contacting other law enforcement agencies in surrounding counties.

"We want to make our local merchants aware of this incident and alert them to be paying attention," said Dallaire. "Watch your $20 bills coming in."

The sheriff's department has also provided still photographs of the suspects, taken from the video surveillance tapes, to the Greene County Daily World.

If anyone recognizes the suspects or has any information about this incident, please contact Det. George Dallaire or Det. Chris McDonald of the Greene County Sheriff's Department at (812) 384-4422 or (812) 384-4411.

Tips may also be given to Greene County CrimeStoppers at (812) 847-5463.