W’burg police warn of possible bogus bills

Williamsburg police are asking the public and local merchants to be on the lookout for possible counterfeit $20 bills that may be circulating in the area after five were passed at the Williamsburg Wal-Mart late Wednesday afternoon.

“We want local businesses to be sure to check their money,” said Williamsburg Police Detective Bobby Freeman who is investigating the case.

Freeman said he got a call from Wal-Mart Thursday reporting that they had found the five counterfeit bills in their transactions from the prior day.

“They were able to review the surveillance camera and see the male subject making purchases with the money,” Freeman said.

This happened between 5 – 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The five bills contain two different sets of serial numbers. Two bills had the serial number MK 75838164 B and three bills had the serial number MA 45000184 C.

Surveillance video showed the suspect, who is a black male, leaving in a gray four-door sedan.

The suspect is about 6′ tall and is in his late 20s or early 30s.

Freeman said authorities think the case is related to one that the Richmond Police Department is also investigating.

In that case, the suspect went to the Richmond Wal-Mart on Wednesday and paid for $300 worth of merchandise with counterfeit $20 bills. Surveillance video appears to show the same man wearing the same clothing in both Williamsburg and Richmond.

“It looks like the same male we are looking for. We will be contacting Richmond to see if they have any other leads besides what we have,” Freeman added.

Anyone with possible information is asked to call Williamsburg Police at 549-6017 or 549-6038.