The St. Joseph Police Department arrested a man on Missouri Western’s campus Wednesday in connection with a series of counterfeit $20 bills which have been circulated throughout the city.

According to the St. Joseph Police Department a black male suspect was located at Western and arrested for investigation of counterfeiting after a series of tips lead police to his location.

The department said the first report of the fake $20 bills was reported on Oct. 21 with six other reports followed a short time later that day within only a few hours of each other. Convenience stores and fast food restaurants appear to be the choice targets for the suspects.

Sgt. Gary Murphy said the bills are of good quality and were accepted by clerks for payment, some went unnoticed as being counterfeit until being discovered by business management during money count.

Suspects and vehicle descriptions were acquired by police during the investigation. Several black males and one black female were sought in connection with the case. One black male was described as having a facial tattoo and numerous tattoos on his arms who was seen passing a fake $20 at the South Riverside McDonald’s on Oct. 22.

The suspects vehicle was described as a gray 4-door Pontiac Booneville which was located on Western’s campus Wednesday.

Police said the black female driver was questioned on campus which lead to officers to arrest a black male suspect at Western for investigation of counterfeiting.

The Financial Crimes Unit is currently in the process of obtaining video surveillance from businesses his by the fake $20-bills.

Capt. Jeff Wilson said no further information is being released at this time as the department coordinates investigation efforts with the United States Secret Service.

Charges have now been filed in this case.  To read that story click here.