Thanks to observant local business owners, two teenagers are facing charges this week on suspicion of passing off counterfeit US $50 bills in Whistler, Squamish and the Lower Mainland.
On Wednesday (Oct. 27) the Community Policing Business Link program sent out an advisory to businesses to be aware of a recent spate of counterfeit US $50 bills surfaced in Whistler, Squamish and Lower Mainland.
A business soon responded to police, stating a male was downtown attempting to pass a US $50 currency, according to an RCMP press release.
"The business owner obtained a good description of the suspect and foot patrols located businesses that were victims of cashing counterfeit currency," states the release.
Tracking the suspect, RCMP discovered he left the downtown area and shortly thereafter, attended businesses in the Industrial Park.
He then moved to the Glenalder and Highlands Mall area, where police caught up with two males aged 16 and 17 who were in possession of counterfeit currency, goods and receipts purchased with counterfeit currency.
The 17-year-old male was already awaiting a court appearance on Oct. 28 for similar offences. Both young men, who are from the Lower Mainland, were held in custody and transported to North Vancouver Provincial Court Thursday (Oct. 28) to faces charges of uttering counterfeit currency and possession of counterfeit currency.
"This incident highlights how well a program such as Business Link works," states a release.
"As [the suspects] were working quickly and moving throughout the business community swiftly, it requires a co-ordinated effort like we saw today to catch individuals like this, showing how valuable a program such as this is to keeping our community safe."
The Business Link Program is a crime prevention initiative aimed at building stronger communications between local business owners and employees and the RCMP.
Along with monthly newsletters offering a crime prevention tip that is delivered by trained community policing volunteers, the program offers alerts that are disseminated through an e-mail fan out.
