Counterfeit Money and Vandalism in Zanesville
ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Zanesville Police Department is investigating a couple crimes this week regarding vandalism and counterfeit money.
The first case the Zanesville Police Department is looking into is fake money being distributed into restaurants, box stores, and small convenience stores. According to Chief Tony Coury following the distribution, these businesses then notify the police.
Photo By: Megan Heady
“We want to put that notice out there to all the stores that’s taking money and retail to stay alert,” Coury said. “These guys have become smart enough to mark the bills themselves with little brown sharpies to make it look like they have already been checked.”
The counterfeit bills have been ranging from $1.00 bills to $100.00 bills. Coury said that if the money doesn’t feel like regular money, doesn’t look to be the right size, or has any questionable markings then to notify the police department. Another common way to identify fake money is by checking the serial number.
“So the serial numbers on a lot of these, especially in some of these 20 [counterfeit bills], are coming out to be the same,” Coury said. “So someone is using the same bill over and over again,”
The other investigation currently being looked into is the spray painting of cars and houses located on Wheeling Avenue and Hamline Avenue.
Photo By: Megan Heady
“Everything seems to be on the east side of the city,” Coury said. “So watch out for your property watch out for your neighbors property and if you see somebody out there messing around; yes please do call the business line or the 911 if you have to.”
Coury said the police department is currently looking into some leads and if they find the person responsible for the spray painting. They can possibly be charged with vandalism, but a lot of times it comes down to trespassing.
“They’ll have a heavy fine to possibly fix or reimburse the owners for the damage that occurred,” said Coury.
For anyone that knows any information regarding these two incidents contact the Zanesville Police Department by calling (740) 455-0700.
