WESTPORT – Five New York City residents, mostly teenagers, were arrested Monday afternoon when Westport police received numerous calls reporting people passing counterfeit bills at various businesses.

The callers “provided a good description of the suspects and their vehicles,” the Westport police said in a release. One suspect was arrested at about 4:30 p.m. in Choice Pet, 374 Post Road East. The others were arrested in their vehicle nearby.

Investigation

“Through their investigation, Officers learned the team had been to various retail stores in Westport and allegedly passed numerous counterfeit bills,” the police announcement said.

In addition to Pet Choice, the police fielded calls from The UPS Store, Fresh Market and  Cava.  

“I do not know what items they purchased, but they typically purchased small value items so they can get the most change in real money,” said Westport Police Department Captain Eric Woods.

The suspects are:

• Jaquane Murray, 31, of New York City, charged with four counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit forgery, 11 counts of first-degree forgery and one count of risk of injury to a minor. Murray posted a $30,000 bond and is due in Stamford Superior Court on Aug. 15.

• Akeelah Garrett, age 18, of the Bronx, N.Y., was charged with three counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit forgery and one count of first-degree forgery. Unable to post $20,000 bond, she was transported to Stamford Superior Court for arraignment.

• Rosbert Cabrera, 18, of the Bronx, N.Y., was charged with two counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit forgery and one count of first-degree forgery. He was released after posting $20,000 bond and is due at Stamford Superior Court on Aug. 15.

• A 15-year-old male of Bronx, N.Y., was charged with two counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit forgery, four counts of first-degree forgery. He was issued a juvenile summons and released to his guardian

• A 17-year-old male from New York City was charged with two counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit forgery and two counts of first-degree forgery. He was issued a juvenile summons and released to his guardian.

It is illegal to possess counterfeit money. According to the United States Secret Service, you must “submit suspected counterfeit currency to your local police department.”

Here is a WikiHow article on how to detect counterfeit US money.