FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — Authorities arrested a man and a woman on Sunday for allegedly using counterfeit money at several businesses across Southwest Florida.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported that on Sept. 4, the Cape Coral Police Department responded to an incident involving counterfeit money used at a local business on Aug. 31. A man and woman had entered Farmer Joe’s supermarket and paid with fake $100 bills, receiving real change.
Over the following days, five other Fort Myers Beach businesses reported similar incidents involving counterfeit $100 bills. These businesses included Buffalo Grill, Mr. Wave, Publix, H20, and Bella Mozzarella.
Using security footage and witness accounts, investigators identified the suspects as 24-year-old Reinaldo Rodriguez-Crespo of Lehigh Acres and 30-year-old Yanicel Cruz-Piloto of Miami.
On Sept. 14, deputies responded to reports of counterfeit bills being used at The Lani Kai in Fort Myers Beach. The fake bills were discovered to be bleached $10 bills altered to resemble $100 bills.
Rodriguez-Crespo and Cruz-Piloto were taken in for questioning and subsequently arrested. They now face charges of uttering forged bills, checks, drafts, or notes.
Authorities continue to investigate and warn businesses to remain vigilant.
