SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) - Southern California authorities uncovered a sophisticated counterfeit cash and credit card operation after two men were detained while trying to pay for expensive items at a store with phony $100 bills.
Officials say three people have been arrested in the case, which began Sunday when a clerk at a Kohl’s store in Ventura County reported two shoppers attempted to pass fake bills. Donald Hagee and Mitchell Wagers had $15,000 in counterfeit currency on them when they were taken into custody.
Detectives found computers, printers and plastic cards at a large counterfeiting lab 100 miles to the east in San Bernardino County.
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Ventura County sheriff’s officials said Wednesday that Hagee and Wagers could face charges including forgery and conspiracy. Officials didn’t detail the counts against the third defendant, Crystina Graciano.
It wasn’t immediately known if they have attorneys.
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