Troopers asking public's help identifying man accused of passing counterfeit bills

State police in Westmoreland County are asking the public’s help to identify suspects who have been passing multiple counterfeit bills in the region.

On Friday, troopers from the Kiski station released photographs of a man who is accused of using counterfeit $50s and $20s on multiple occasions last month to purchase merchandise at the Walmart just off Route 22 in Salem Township.

Troopers said the unidentified man who was captured on store surveillance cameras passed three counterfeit $50s at the store on Jan. 7 and returned Jan. 15, when he passed seven counterfeit $20s, according to Trooper Steve Limani.

Limani said store security reported he entered the store on Jan. 11 and unsuccessfully attempted to pass another counterfeit $50 but was caught by a store employee before he fled.

“The pictured male was observed on surveillance cameras and leaving the store in an unknown year Jeep Renegade with unknown registration,” Limani said.

Limani said a woman who accompanied the man to the store during the trips also bought merchandise, but did not use counterfeit bills.

Anyone who has information on the man is asked to call Trooper Luke Hanko at the Kiski station at 724-697-5780 or via email at lhanko@PA.gov

Last month, troopers warned county businesses that suspects were passing counterfeit $100s at stores in the Greengate Center Plaza in Hempfield in mid-January. However, those suspects were not captured on store security cameras.

In December, Blairsville police in Indiana County reported fake $100 bills were passed at a Tractor Supply and Dollar General store in separate incidents. Also, on Dec. 15, state police in Indiana reported a man passed a counterfeit $100 bill at a Sally Beauty store in White Township.

Those cases remain under investigation.

Limani said the bills confiscated were forwarded to the U.S. Secret Service for investigation.

Limani noted that genuine currency has a security thread — a plastic strip — running from top to bottom that consumers can see to verify authenticity. He said many counterfeit bills also carry the same serial number that is another indication they are fake.