Fake 100s surface in Valley

WASILLA — Wasilla police are warning Mat-Su Valley merchants to watch the $100 bills they accept from customers, especially late at night.

Lt. Craig Robinson said that during the past week about six counterfeit bills have turned up in the city. All have been $100 bills.

Detective Kelly Turney with the Palmer Police Department said a counterfeit $100 showed up at a Palmer fast food restaurant Dec. 31.

“We’ve had a couple of counterfeit bills come through, but only one possibly related to what’s going on at Wasilla,” Turney said.

A check of reports on the Wasilla Police Department Web site shows three reported counterfeit bills, two at the Holiday Station Jan. 13 and 15 respectively and one at Carrs Jan. 16.

Between Wasilla and Palmer police, Robinson said the agencies have identified some possible suspects but have not yet made any arrests. Neither Turney nor Robinson knew of any counterfeit money showing up in the Alaska State Troopers’ coverage area outside of city limits.

“Most of your major businesses, as far as fast food, in and outs, are going to be in the city limits of either Wasilla or Palmer,” Turney said.

Late last week, the department issued a warning to local businesses, Robinson said.

“If you take the time to look at them, they’re fairly obvious,” he said.

A few of the counterfeits have been poorly done, but for the most part they just don’t feel right, Robinson said. They’re on the wrong type of paper and most appear to have been photocopied.

He said the bills have turned up mainly at fast food restaurants and gas stations, usually late in the evening.

“The clerks are taking them in the middle of the night,” Robinson said. “In the morning, somebody who’s a little more awake … kind of realizes that it’s no good.”

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.