Three young suspects were taken into custody for counterfeit currency in Central Florida.
Detectives assigned to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit detained three suspects for possessing counterfeit currency.
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Detectives started an inquiry when local business owners in John’s Pass complained that two people were transferring counterfeit currency. The two individuals, later identified as 18-year-old James Perry and 19-year-old Benjamin Warshowsky, went into the Spice & Tea Exchange at 110 129th Avenue East in Madeira Beach and asked the staff to break four twenty-dollar bills.
The owner then discovered that the four bills were counterfeit. Several other businesses nearby reported fraudulent bills as well.
During the investigation, officers discovered that 19-year-old Myles Dorris was also implicated. According to investigators, Perry, Warshowsky, and Dorris altered the banknotes and intended to leave in a rented car to pass them in Georgia and Tennessee.
Warshowsky fled on an electric bike while trying to make contact, while Dorris ran on foot. Both were arrested shortly after. All three individuals were arrested and transferred to the Pinellas County Jail. Detectives discovered about $20,000 in counterfeit banknotes while conducting the arrests.
If you feel your business has received counterfeit currency, call Detective Bereznay at 727-582-6015. Local law enforcement said the inquiry is ongoing.
