Eureka Police suspect a 29-year-old St. Clair man used three counterfeit $100 bills to purchase a TV at Walmart, 131 Eureka Towne Center Drive. The man was arrested by Washington Police, and when he spoke with a Eureka Police officer, he said another man had used the money to pay him for firewood and he didn’t know the bills were fake, police reported.
A Eureka Police officer at about 3:30 p.m. March 17 was called to the store after the man had purchased a 43-inch TCL television. The man paid with the three $100 bills, which were inspected by a supervisor before the transaction was complete, the report said.
The TV cost $216, and the man was given $84 in change. It was then discovered the three bills each had the same serial number on them, according to the report.
The employees were able to identify the man due to previous visits to the store. Washington Police arrested the man on March 18, the report said.
While talking to a Eureka Police officer, the man allegedly apologized for unknowingly paying with counterfeit money and offered to pay for the TV. The man was then booked and released pending the application for a warrant, according to the report.
Eureka Police will seek a charge against the man through the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for fraud, Capt. Michael Werges said.