Police: Three arrested for making counterfeit cash

Three people have been arrested and charged with creating counterfeit money in Union City.

Police were requested to investigate reports of three people attempting to pass counterfeit cash Saturday on East Main Street during the Union City Community Garage Sale, officers said in a release.

Officers say during the initial investigation they identified the three people passing counterfeit currency as Joseph Brown, William Clarkson, and Jessica Hunt.

Police found Brown with an authentic $20 bill, but the bill had the same serial number as a counterfeit bill that was passed earlier at the garage sale.

According to the release, Clarkson was also observed by police trying to hide heroin under a nearby vehicle.

Police say they later executed a search warrant at Brown’s residence in the 700 block of East Main Street, and found evidence of Brown printing counterfeit money and manufacturing methamphetamine.

Brown and Hunt have been arrested and booked in the Darke County Jail on felony forgery charges. Clarkson has also been booked into the Darke County Jail and is facing felony charges of forgery, possession of heroin, and a previous outstanding warrant. All three are being held without bond.

Additional charges are pending from the methamphetamine items police recovered during the search warrant.

Police urge residents of Union City, Ohio and Indiana to check money received during the weekend’s community garage sales, and file a report with officers if any of the currency they received is believed to be counterfeit.