Burning dumpster found to hold counterfeit $20 bills
March 29, 2013
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Police Department
Santa Paula Police are investigating an unusual find, burning counterfeit $20 bills discovered Monday evening in dumpster on the east side of the city.
The find occurred March 25 at approximately 8:46 according to SPPD Sgt. Cody Madison, after officers responded to a report of a dumpster fire in the 1300 block of East Main Street. Upon arrival at the scene, “A small fire was found inside a dumpster,” small enough to be put out using a fire extinguisher.
“When officers checked the interior of the dumpster,” noted Madison, “they found approximately 20 partially burned counterfeit $20 bills." The counterfeit bills were collected as evidence and will be forwarded to the Secret Service, the governing authority for crimes involving counterfeiting money.
At the time officers arrived at the scene of the fire there was only one subject in the area who was found to have moved the dumpster away from a nearby building to stop the further spreading of the fire.
According to SPPD Senior Detective Ken Clark the crime is somewhat of a puzzle. Counterfeit money “comes in occasionally from the stores, fast food restaurants and other places, but we don’t get a lot of it.”
The discovery of the $400 in bogus money is “strange altogether,” as Clark said those who come across the fake money “just call us” to report the crime. And, if someone was knowingly in possession of and planning to pass fake cash, why would they burn it when there are more secure methods of disposing of it?
Clark said the Santa Paula Police Department is asking local businesses to pay special attention to the currency they receive within the next several weeks to ensure it is not counterfeit.
There are two websites that address how to detect counterfeit money: http://www.secretservice.gov/money_detect.shtml and http://www.wikihow.com/Detect-Counterfeit-US-Money. The best advice professionals offer is the feel of fake money is distinct, and those who think they might have counterfeit bills should look for differences when compared to the real thing, not what is similar.
Anyone with information involving this crime is urged to contact Senior Detective Ken Clark at 525-4474 x 277. If the caller would prefer to remain anonymous, they can call the SPPD recorded Tip Hotline, 933-4253-1-#.
Those with information can also call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477). Ventura County Crime Stoppers can also be contacted by texting “Busted” plus your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stopper Tips can also be sent via the website, www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and criminal complaint against those responsible for crime.
