Rashee Massey, 23, and Christopher Jones, 24, of Charlotte, North Carolina have been charged with passing counterfeit currency at auto parts stores in Lincoln County, NC.
On July 15, deputies responded to reports of an individual trying to use counterfeit currency at the Advanced Auto Parts on Highway 16 in Lincoln County. The store clerk told authorities that the suspect left the scene in a gold colored vehicle and provided a license plate number.
On the way to Advanced Auto Parts, a deputy saw the gold colored vehicle parked near O’Reilly’s Auto Parts.
The deputy went into the store and saw someone speaking with an employee. Another employee told the deputy that the individual had tried to use a fake $100 bill. The employee told the deputy that the bill was tested using a counterfeit detecting pen.
The person who tried to use the fake bill left the store and was followed by the deputy. The officer tried to stop the suspect but he got in his car and tried to leave the scene.
The deputy turned on his emergency lights and followed the vehicle. At an exit, the suspect backed his vehicle toward the patrol car but slammed into the curb next to the deputies vehicle. Backup arrived and the deputies were able to place Rashee and Christopher under arrest.
Deputies searched the vehicle and discovered marijuana, digital scales and 27 fake $1oo bills, which all had the same serial number. Deputies also found an O’Reilly’s Auto Part’s bag and a Publix bag with receipts for purchases made with counterfeit $100 bills.
Rashee was charged with one felony count each of possession of more than five counterfeit instruments and conspiracy.
As a result, Christopher was charged with one felony count of possession of more than five counterfeit instruments, two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, one felony count of attempting to obtain property by false pretenses and one felony count of conspiracy. He was also charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and resist, delay and obstruct a public officer.
