Counterfeit Bills Circulating Among Small Businesses, Police Say

Over a two day span, three local businesses have reported receiving phony $100 bills, according to police. In all instances, police said a man attempted to purchase or purchased a product by handing an employee a fake $100 bill, getting for change and leaving the store.

On Feb. 13, police responded to a deceptive practice complaint at Little Caesars, 3535 Dempster St. In that instance, the offender purchased food and used a fake $100 bill. He was given change and left the store.

That same day, a  man with a similar description from the Little Caesars incident went to Lou's Shoe & Luggage, 3541 Dempster St., and purchased an item with a fake $100 bill. Again, he was given change and left the store.

The following day, on Feb. 14, police responded to a deceptive practice complaint at Subway Restaurant, 4925 Dempster St. The manager told police that a customer attempted to pay for a sandwich with a counterfeit bill. The employee refused to accept the bill and the offender left the store.

In all instances, the offender is described as a black male, 35 to 40-years-of-age, about 5-foot-9, with an average build, short black hair and wearing a black jacket, according to police reports.