Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced felony charges today against four New York men accused of running a statewide counterfeit cash-return scheme across 16 counties.
Authorities charged Fitzroy James, Fabian Coke, Gabriel Young and Christopher Nicholas with organized retail theft, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, conspiracy and related offenses after the men allegedly used fake currency to buy store items and return them for real cash.
According to the Office of Attorney General press release, the suspects attempted or completed more than $20,000 in purchases using fake bills. The group profited at least $12,436 through the scheme.
The alleged thefts targeted major retail stores, including Target, Kohl’s, Home Depot and Lowe’s. According to the Office of Attorney General press release, the men frequented businesses in Allegheny, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Centre, Chester, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Del., Lancaster, Lebanon, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton and York counties.
Attorney General Dave Sunday highlighted the multi-agency coordination required to uncover the operation.
“This out-of-state band of thieves knowingly passed fake bills with a plan to return items for real cash — that is organized retail theft, pure and simple,” Sunday said. “We collaborated with federal, state and local partners to track this criminal activity and filed charges that will end this conduct.”
The U.S. Secret Service, Pennsylvania State Police and police departments in North Fayette, Silver Spring, West Manchester and Hamden Township assisted with the investigation alongside loss prevention personnel from the targeted retailers. Law enforcement officials also suspect the four men of participating in similar retail schemes in several other states.
Law enforcement officers are working to arrest the four suspects.
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