Woman suspected of using fake $100 bills turns herself in

BETHEL PARK, Pa. — The woman suspected of using counterfeit $100 bills at businesses in Bethel Park has turned herself into police, who identified her as Donna Graziano of Allentown.

Surveillance photos released Tuesday show the woman believed to have used counterfeit bills at three businesses, according to Bethel Park police.

PHOTOS: Woman suspected of using counterfeit bills in Bethel Park

At Shop 'n Save, she lowered her head right after walking in the doors, before reportedly using a fake $100 bill that not only looked realistic, it passed the counterfeit-detecting pen inspection.

She purchased a small laundry detergent and fabric softener.

"We weren't able to detect it at first, but upon holding it, we were able to see it was indeed a fake," said Rob Cheplic, the assistant store manager. "Every once in a while, we see counterfeit bills come across, but nothing like this that works with the pen."

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At Shop 'n Save, there are photocopies of the fake bill at each of the registers, warning employees that the bill passes the pen test, even though it's counterfeit.

"All the serial numbers are the same on all the counterfeit $100 bills, so there's another red flag there," Cheplic said.

She also used three of the bills at Walmart.

Police said six people, as well as an officer from another department, called them saying they recognized Graziano from the surveillance photos police distributed.

She was arraigned Wednesday morning on felony forgery and theft charges, and police say she has a lengthy history of those types of crimes.

Cox Media Group