HARTVILLE – Police say a man used film production counterfeit money to buy candy, pizza and other items in stores across town.
And investigators in other communities in Stark and the surrounding counties have reported a number of similar thefts involving counterfeit cash.
According to a Hartville police report, officers were called to the Giant Eagle at 907 W. Maple Street on Wednesday because a man had passed on counterfeit $ 20 bills.
A staff member told officers that the suspect, later identified as Daniel Armstead II, walked into the store twice within five minutes, buying a drink, and paying the cashier $ 20 each time.
The second time, the man asked the cashier to break a third $ 20, and the cashier noticed that the word “copy” was blackened with a marker according to the report.
Giant Eagle contacted the police and reported a description of the man and his vehicle.
The suspect was spotted on the 600 block of Maple Street, eastbound, and taken into custody along with the shop receipts in the vehicle, police said.
The police report shows that counterfeit money was also used at Pet Supplies Plus, Domino’s Pizza, Peace Love & Little Donuts, and other businesses.
Hartville Chocolate Factory owner Bobby Barton and nephew Jake Barton were working when Armstead stopped by for a candy bar.
“He said he wasn’t from here and asked about activities in the area,” Jake Barton told The Canton Repository. Barton sold Armstead the chocolate, paid for it in a $ 20 bill, and gave him his change.
“He came back a second time and said the candy bar was so good he wanted another one and gave me another $ 20. I didn’t know it was fake, but he started asking questions about our opening times and looked around the store, ”said Jake Barton.
According to Barton, these questions raised concerns and resulted in a call to the police.
Where did the fake bills come from?
Hartville Police Chief Larry Dordea said the fake dollars were movie money bought online, although Armstead told police he got the money from a buddy when he switched.
“We don’t know he’s worked with anyone else, but we know we’re not the only community affected,” said Dordea.
Counterfeit banknotes have been used in communities in Stark, Tuscarawas, and Summit counties, according to Dordea.
“We believe they are all connected after talking to other law enforcement agencies and the receipts we found,” Dordea said.
According to Chief Doug Swartz, Armstead is believed to be the same suspect the Canal Fulton police were looking for. He said 15 cases of counterfeiting had been reported by companies.
Dover Police are investigating eight similar incidents, according to Dordea.
“Several agencies were looking for a man with the same tattoo as Armstead, and we also found receipts from stores in North Canton that were spending money,” Dordea said.
The investigation is ongoing, he said.
Armstead, 48, of Canton, is charged with forgery, a fourth-degree crime, counterfeiting and possession of criminal tools, both fifth-degree crimes.
A status hearing before the cantonal court was scheduled for July 16.
A photocopy of the counterfeit evidence confiscated by Hartville Police.
Hartville Chocolate Factory owner Bobby Barton (left) and nephew Jake Barton (right)
