Man faces counterfeit cash charges
A Windsor man is facing counterfeit charges as a result of an investigation into U.S. $100 bills inscribed on both sides with what police describe as a “foreign language.”
Windsor police first became aware of the bogus currency on Jan. 30, when the operator of a convenience store in the 1400 block of Wyandotte Street East reported that a suspect bill had been used in a transaction. Similar bills were reported on Feb. 23 by a restaurant in the 1300 block of Walker Road and another convenience store in the 4600 block of Seminole Street. Officers with the financial crimes branch studied the money and found inconsistencies with legitimate U.S. currency — most obviously, the “foreign language” writing. Chatham-Kent police have been dealing with similar incidents involving U.S. $20 bills bearing serial numbers that include letters derived from the Russian Cyrillic alphabet.
Security video recordings were obtained from the three Windsor businesses. By reviewing them, investigators were able to identify a lone male suspect.
On Tuesday, a suspect was located and arrested in the 5400 block of Reginald Street. He was found to be in possession of a small quantity of U.S. bills matching the counterfeit cash that was used in the previous transactions. Kurt Durance, 31, of Windsor, faces four counts of possessing counterfeit money, three counts of uttering counterfeit money, and breach of probation.
The financial crimes branch notes that versions of the illegitimate currency found in this investigation have been intercepted by police in other jurisdictions across Canada since 2017.
Since January, Chatham-Kent Police Service have investigated 11 incidents involving fake U.S. $20 bills with Cyrillic lettering. Two Chatham men were arrested and charged on March 1. Windsor police advise the public — especially local business operators — to take the time to inspect all currency used in cash transactions.
“Often times, an offender will attempt to purchase a low-priced item with a large value counterfeit bill in the hopes of receiving legitimate change,” police said. Anyone with information or suspicions about counterfeit cash in Windsor is encouraged to call investigators at 519-255-6700, ext. 4330.
Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or catchcrooks.com.