CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Chillicothe police are investigating after a woman allegedly attempted to pass counterfeit $100 bills at several retail stores on the city’s north end Wednesday evening.
According to the Chillicothe Police Department, officers were initially dispatched to Five Below on North Bridge Street after employees reported a woman attempting to use a fake $100 bill during a purchase.
Store manager Faith Busch told officers that employees at a nearby Carter’s store had already warned them about the suspect after refusing to accept a counterfeit bill. The woman was described as a Black female wearing all-black athletic clothing, braided hair, and a black Nike headband.
Police said the suspect selected a pair of shorts at Five Below and presented a $100 bill during checkout. A counterfeit detection scanner identified the bill as fake, and employees retained it. However, when staff informed the woman that police had been called, she reportedly fled the store on foot before officers arrived.
Although Five Below declined to pursue criminal charges, the store wanted police to be aware of the incident. Investigators noted the business does not have surveillance footage of the transaction.
While investigating, officers learned the same woman had successfully passed a counterfeit $100 bill at Ulta Beauty, where she reportedly purchased a hairbrush before employees realized the currency was counterfeit. Store management also declined to pursue charges.
Police were later dispatched to Dick’s Sporting Goods, where staff reported another counterfeit $100 bill had been accepted from a customer matching the same description. Manager Brentany Page provided officers with surveillance footage, but investigators said the video did not clearly capture the suspect’s face or any identifying features. The store indicated it would be interested in pursuing the case if the suspect is identified.
Officers encouraged the affected businesses to retain the counterfeit bills as training tools to help cashiers recognize fake currency in the future.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information about the incidents is encouraged to contact the Chillicothe Police Department.
