Lubbock Police confirmed Monday that in the month of March, there have been six counterfeit incidents in the city.
One of those incidents happened over this past weekend. According to the Lubbock Police report, the Sonic on University Avenue near 82nd Street, 33-year-old Ernest Jessie Chacon tried to pay the car hop using a fake bill. The bill had printed on it “For Motion Picture Use Only” where ” United States of America.” should have been.
Lubbock Police arrested Chacon, believing he used the counterfeit bill intentionally. He is charged with forgery and is being held at the Lubbock County Detention Center for $3,500 bond.
EverythingLubbock.com obtained the March police reports detailing the counterfeit incidents, several happened at large stores such as Walmart or Target.
Chris Berry, Managing Partner at River Smith’s Restaurant, said that these forgery incidents are on his radar.
“With it being more prevalent recently, we’re on the lookout a little bit more and kind of re-hashing the training and going over it,” he said.
Berry said that it’s been over a year since his restaurant last saw counterfeit bills.
“We’ve been very blessed we’ve had a few isolated incidents,” Berry said.
He explained that his cashiers are instructed to be on the lookout for fake cash. They are equipped with markers and watermark-checking devices to double-check bills that are questionable.
“Usually we ask [the customer] if there’s a doubt on it, we ask if there’s another form of tender that they can provide–either another bill or a debit card or a credit card– 99 percent of the time it’s not a problem,” he said.
Barry said that customers can also keep an eye out on their bills to make sure they’re not receiving fake cash. He recommends checking your bills anytime you receive them for the correct labeling and watermarks– especially with larger bills.
Berry also serves as President for the Lubbock Restaurant Association, he believes that LRA will discuss these forgery incidents at their next meeting.
He added that the Lubbock Restaurant Association is a resource for any restaurant in town who needs guidance– whether they need help with fake currency or any other problem.
