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It was a just another normal evening for local resident Aquilla “Sonny” Fleetwood. He was working behind the counter at the Cheers Liquor Store in Johnson City, when a young man meandered into the store. The young man approached the counter and attempted to purchase a $25 bottle of tequila with what appeared to be a $100 bill.

“I knew I had seen the young man around before, but I went ahead and carded him anyway – even though I recognized him… I don’t recall his name, because I was mainly interested in checking out his birth date – but I know it said he was from Horseshoe Bay.” Mr. Fleetwood believes the young man’s birthday was in 1985; which would make him 23 years old.

“I thought the color of the bill didn’t look right, so I pulled out my magnifying glass. Although the face was Benjamin Franklin, the shadow didn’t match up,” he said. Furthermore, with the aid of his magnifying glass he noticed that it read “USA FIVE” in fine print. He immediately called 911.

After Mr. Fleetwood called 911, the suspect became rather agitated stating that he “didn’t need any more trouble from the police.”

Mr. Fleetwood asked the suspect where he obtained the counterfeit bill; to which the suspect responded that he thought he obtained it from a friend – but he couldn’t remember his friend’s name.

“He stood there for about a minute or so – but that’s when he just finally took off saying he just couldn’t deal with the police right now,” leaving the counterfeit bill and the bottle of tequila in the possession of Mr. Fleetwood.

“I turned my surveillance tape and the fake $100 bill over to the officer who responded,” Mr. Fleetwood added.

According to a press release from the Johnson City police department, “the suspect was described as a white male, in his early 20’s, having light brown hair, and was seen driving a black 4-door sport utility vehicle. The Johnson City Police Department would like to remind local business owners to be extra cautious of individuals who attempt to pass large denomination bills for a purchase of little value.

A current trend among counterfeiters is to “wash” the ink from a legitimate bill, such as a $5 bill, and use a computer printer to make it into a $100 bill. The paper will feel right, since it is a real bill but the security features of a $5 bill will not be present. The security strip micro printing will indicate “USA FIVE,” not “USA HUNDRED.” Also the watermark portrait, which is almost impossible to wash out, will show the face of Abraham Lincoln, not Benjamin Franklin, who is on the $100 bill.

The Johnson City Police Department offers free training to business owners and their employees on how to detect counterfeit money. If you would like to schedule a training session for your business, please contact Officer Bryan Geeslin at 830-868-0995 to schedule an appointment.

If you have any information about the incident that occurred at the Cheers Liquor Store you may contact the Johnson City Police at 830-868-0995 or the Hill Country Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-TIPS or at http://www.hcacrimestoppers.com/.”