SK woman caught using fake money at drive-through

A 32-year-old South Kitsap woman was arrested on Tuesday afternoon for allegedly trying to purchase cheeseburgers at a drive-through using a fake $50 bill, according to the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the incident report, the woman approached the drive-through pay window at the Wendy’s Restaurant on Bethel Road after ordering and handed the clerk what was described as an “obviously fake $50 bill.”

The manager then called 911, and a deputy responded. When he approached the suspect, he asked her if she had any other money on her, and she gave him two more $50 bills, one that appeared legitimate and another that was fake. He also noted that both fake bills had the same serial number.

When he asked the suspect where she got the fake bills, she said she borrowed $100 from a male friend of hers. When asked why the man would have loaned her so much money, she said because he was “a nice guy.”

She said she did not know the bills were counterfeit, but admitted they felt “worn-out.”

After talking to the suspect further, the deputy learned she had just exchanged another $50 bill at a nearby credit union for $5 bills. Asked why she did not just use one of the smaller bills for her drive-through purchase, the woman could not give what the deputy felt was a satisfactory answer, and he then placed her under arrest.

After searching the woman’s car, the deputy learned from the restaurant manager that one of his employees recognized the suspect from another incident. The employee said the suspect had gotten food in the drive-through approximately two weeks ago, and had paid for it with what employees realized later was a fake bill, also $50.

The suspect was transported to Kitsap County Jail and booked for fraud. She was held under $10,000 bail.

Attempts by the deputy to locate the friend the suspect said gave her the fake bills were unsuccessful.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.