Local RCMP have made two arrests this morning in College Heights in connection with counterfeit cash.
Prince George RCMP, with assistance from the North District Emergency Response Team, executed a search warrant at around 9:20 a.m. at a home on the 3200 block of Monahan Crescent. Officers on the scene were met with a reinforced barricade at the door of the residence. They managed to break through the barricade to make an arrest of two adult females within the home.
According to a media release issued by Prince George RCMP, the city has seen a 389 per cent increase in reports of counterfeit currency this year. Between January 1st to March 21st last year, there were nine reports of counterfeit currency in the city. During the same period this year, the Detachment received 44 reports.
Local police have seen a rash of incidents of counterfeit cash being used in local businesses in recent months. Earlier this month, RCMP reported that two caucasian males between the age of 20 and 30 used counterfeit $100 bills to purchase merchandise and gift cards from a local business. An RCMP media release stated that the bills were made using cut out clear windows from genuine $10 bills, which were taped onto the illegitimate $100 notes.
Police have asked business owners and community members that handle cash to be vigilant and to check each and every Canadian and American bill received to ensure their authenticity. The Bank of Canada webpage describing security features with legitimate currency can be found at the Bank of Canada website.
Individuals with more information on the local use of counterfeit currency are asked to call the Prince George RCMP at (250) 561-3300, or Crime-Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.
