Three teenagers were arrested Oct. 29 after passing counterfeit currency at businesses in John’s Pass and planning to travel out of state with nearly $20,000 in fake bills, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives began investigating Oct. 24 after business owners in John’s Pass reported two people were using counterfeit money, deputies said.
James Perry and Benjamin Warshowsky, both 18, walked into the Spice & Tea Exchange at 110 129th Ave. E. in Madeira Beach and asked an employee to break four $20 bills, according to deputies. The owner later discovered the bills were fake, deputies said. Several nearby businesses also reported fraudulent bills.
Detectives learned that Myles Dorris, 19, was also involved, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Detectives said the three altered the bills and planned to leave in a rental car to pass them in Georgia and Tennessee.
When detectives tried to make contact, Warshowsky fled on an electric bike and Dorris ran away on foot, deputies said. Both were caught shortly after.
All three were arrested and taken to the Pinellas County Jail, deputies said. Detectives found almost $20,000 in counterfeit currency during the arrests, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Perry, of Largo, faces one count of possession of counterfeit currency and two counts of uttering forged bills, deputies said.
Warshowsky, who is listed as transient, was charged with one count of possession of counterfeit currency and two counts of uttering forged bills, according to deputies.
Dorris, of Seminole, faces one count of possession of counterfeit currency, deputies said.
Businesses that believe they received counterfeit currency can contact Detective Bereznay at 727-582-6015.