Men accused of using counterfeit bills
Cranberry Township Police arrested three North Carolina residents who they say used counterfeit money at multiple stores in the county.
Police filed charges Wednesday against Jamal Woodcock, 30, of Fayetteville, N.C., Taquan D. McFarland of Charlotte, N.C., whose age was not included on his docket sheet, and Jeremiah J. Evans, 18, of Charlotte, N.C.
The teen is charged with felony counts of conspiracy, forgery and possessing stolen property, as well as misdemeanor theft. Woodcock and McFarland were charged with felony counts of forgery and possessing stolen property.
Following their arraignment, they were placed in Butler County Prison. Evans was issued a $100,000 bond and the two men received $75,000 each.
District Judge Amy Marcinkiewicz later set bond for Woodcock and McFarland at $75,000 each, which would be added to outstanding bonds in North Carolina. The total bond for Woodcock and McFarland is $150,000 each.
According to charging documents, the Sheetz in Hermitage reported a counterfeit $100 bill was used by a group of men driving a gray Hyundai Elantra. Police said they tracked the vehicle’s registration and found it in Cranberry Township along Route 19.
Police said they watched the vehicle back into a parking space in front of Marshalls, and police approached the vehicle in which Woodcock was the driver and McFarland was a passenger.
“While McFarland was exiting the vehicle, he attempted to grab U.S. currency from the door handle of the vehicle which consisted of a $100 bill,” police said. “Examining the $100 bill, I observed the serial number to be the same as the $100 passed at Sheetz in Hermitage earlier that day.”
Police said they continued to gather information about Woodcock, McFarland and the vehicle. Police said Woodcock and McFarland both had active warrants for their arrest out of the Macklenburg County, N.C., Sheriff’s Office.
“The vehicle was confirmed as stolen from Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C.,” said police, who also noted the theft was reported by Enterprise Rentals.
Police said in the midst of their curbside investigation, the Evans emerged from the Giant Eagle, and they found he was traveling with the other two.
“(An officer) entered Giant Eagle and retrieved a $100 counterfeit bill which was presented by Evans to purchase roses for $15.89, receiving $84.11 in change,” police said.
All three charged are scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing July 1 before District Judge Kevin Flaherty.
This story was updated at 5:15 p.m. May 26 to reflect the following clarification:
There is new information regarding bonds for Jamal Woodcock, 30, of Fayetteville, N.C., and Taquan D. McFarland, of Charlotte, N.C., whose age was not listed in court documents.
District Judge Amy Marcinkiewicz set bond for Woodcock and McFarland at $75,000 each, which would be added to outstanding bonds in North Carolina, also set at $75,000. The total bond for Woodcock and McFarland is $150,000 each.
Jeremiah J. Evans, 18, of Charlotte, N.C., also was charged in the case and issued a $100,000 bond locally. The Butler Eagle initially believed him to be a minor, and did not report his name.
