Police Still Investigating Counterfeit Money Turning Up in Toccoa

The Toccoa Police Department says it is continuing to investigate a series of counterfeit bills turning up throughout the city.

According to Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell, the incidents have happened at various locations throughout the city over the past two to three weeks.

“Roughly about $600 in counterfeit money has been passed at various businesses around the city,” said Jarrell, who said the bills are $50, $100, and $20 bills.

Jarrell said that his investigators do have persons of interest related to this case.

However, he said no arrests have been made yet.

The chief said that the cases do all appear to be related at this time.

Jarrell said area businesses need to be diligent in checking money to ensure that it is the real thing.

“We are asking that the businesses work with their employees and take the time to check the bills with a counterfeit pen, to feel the money (because) it has a distinct feel compared to any of the paper you use, and to use background light and look for the security strip,” said Jarrell. “It appears that the individuals passing the bills have already used some type of marker to mark the bills so when they are passed, it appears as if it has already been checked by a counterfeit pen. That is why we are asking people to check them again.”

Jarrell said that businesses are being targeted at peak hours in many cases.

The chief said any business that would like the Toccoa Police Department to come and assist a business with training to identify counterfeit bills can call the police department at 706-282-3244.

According to Jarrell, his office and the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office are working together on the investigation.