Parolee Suspected Of Passing Counterfeit Money

An investigation into two counterfeit $50 bills passed last week in Traverse City led police to arrest a Kalkaska man early Sunday morning.

The 27-year-old suspect was arrested on a parole detainer. Officials have five days from his arrest to file charges, says Traverse City Police Capt. Keith Gillis. Investigators say they also found a substantial amount of counterfeit cash in the suspect’s vehicle.

Gillis says he couldn’t say how investigators believed the suspect created the phony cash, but he says it appears to be of low quality.

Police received reports last week of counterfeit cash passed at businesses – one day at 7-11 and the next day at Burger King. There was another report of a suspect $50 bill used at a Garfield Township Burger King that’s under investigation by Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Traverse City police received a tip that led them to a hotel on Munson Avenue and then a bar in Kalkaska and finally to the suspect.