FLORIDA — Three teens are facing charges after deputies said they tried to use counterfeit money at several businesses in Pinellas County.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began on October 24 after business owners in Johns Pass reported two suspects attempting to use fake currency.
Deputies identified the pair as James Perry, 18, and Benjamin Warshowsky, 19, who allegedly entered the Spice & Tea Exchange on 129th Avenue East and asked an employee to break four $20 bills.
The store owner later discovered that the bills were counterfeit. Other nearby businesses also reported receiving fake cash around the same time.
Detectives later identified a third suspect, Myles Dorris, 19, and said the three had altered the bills and planned to travel to Georgia and Tennessee to continue passing the counterfeit money.
When investigators tried to contact the suspects, officials said Warshowsky fled on an electric bike and Dorris ran on foot, but both were quickly captured. All three were arrested and taken to the Pinellas County Jail.
During the arrests, deputies recovered nearly $20,000 in counterfeit currency. The investigation is ongoing.
