Gary L. Ward, 50, of St. Charles has been charged with two felonies for allegedly passing or trying to pass counterfeit money at two Arnold businesses – the CVS store and the U-Gas. The man already was wanted by the U.S. Marshal’s Office on federal drug charges, Arnold Police Detective Lt. James Jones said.
At about 4:20 p.m. Oct. 18, Ward allegedly tried to buy Amazon gift cards at CVS, 2120 Lone Star Drive, using six counterfeit $20 bills. When the store manager questioned the authenticity of the money, Ward fled the scene in a black GMC pickup with Louisiana license plates on it, Arnold Police reported.
About 30 minutes later, Ward allegedly used a counterfeit $20 bill to buy something at the U-Gas, 3611 West Outer Road, and got $15.13 in change back and then left in the same pickup, a report said.
Later, Arnold Police viewed surveillance footage and tracked down the pickup to the man’s ex-wife, who said she used to own it, but Ward got it as part of their divorce, the probable-cause statement said.
Ward was identified as the suspect in the case and listed as wanted, Jones said.
On Nov. 9, the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed two felony forgery charges against him, and an $8,000 bond was set.
As of Nov. 10, the man had not been taken into custody, Jones said.