2 teens arrested after Durham police seize $2.4K in counterfeit cash

Durham Regional Police arrested two 17-year-old males in Pickering Monday night after they tried to pay for a $4 salad with a $50 US bill at a restaurant in Pickering. 

Restaurant staff alerted police around 9 p.m.

Police say they found over $2,400 worth of U.S. counterfeit cash on the teens when they arrested the pair after leaving the St. Louis Bar and Grill on Bayley Street.    

Const. Amanda Hoover told CBC News a staff member noticed the bill the males were attempting to pay with had the "same serial number" as others in their wallet.  

How to recognize a counterfeit bill

"One of the biggest things you want to look for is the serial number on the bill," Hoover said. "If you see the same serial number that's a big sign it's counterfeit." 

Police are warning local businesses to be on the look out for counterfeit cash, especially when accepting American currency, and to be "cautious of customers making low dollar value purchases" with larger bills, Hoover warned

The men are charged with four criminal offences, including fraud under $5,000, uttering counterfeit money, possession of counterfeit money and possession of proceeds of crime. 

Police are asking those with information to call Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 and say tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.