From Glynn County Police:

Glynn County, GA- On November 17, 2021, several businesses in Glynn County were victimized by persons using counterfeit money, including Hibbetts Sports at Glynn Place Mall. The next day, suspects attempted to return the items which had been purchased with the bogus bills, leading the store to call police.

Responding patrol officers were able to locate three individuals, who attempted to return the items, and their vehicle in the mall parking lot. The individuals were detained and transported to GCPD Headquarters for further investigation and the vehicle was impounded. It was later determined that one of the three individuals was found to be an unknowing party and therefore released.

Later, an additional person, Paul Clark, was observed by officers walking away from the mall. When the officers attempted to contact the male, he fled on foot. Clark was caught after a short foot pursuit.

The investigation would reveal that Clark passed counterfeit bills at four different businesses across Glynn County. He also recruited friends to attempt retail theft by returning the illegally purchased items for cash refunds.

During a search of the individuals involved, officers located counterfeit $20 bills in their wallets and methamphetamine was also found in their vehicle.

The following persons were arrested and booked at the Glynn County Detention Center:

PAUL RALPH CLARK, Jr, age 38, W/M

Forgery 1st Degree 3 counts

Obstruction of Law Enforcement

Theft by Receiving

Criminal Attempt Theft by Deception

CLINTON DAVID SHEPPARD, age 37, W/M

Possession Schedule II (Methamphetamine)

Forgery 2nd Degree

Warrants from other agencies

CHAZLYN BROWN, age 30, W/F

Possession Schedule II

As a result of this investigation, several hundred dollars of merchandise was returned to the affected businesses. Retail theft costs American consumers over $30 billion dollars each year leading to higher prices on good and services.

This investigation was led by GCPD Patrol Division with assistance from the Investigations Division. Information has also been shared with the City of Brunswick Police due to crimes that took place within the city limits.

GCPD encourage businesses and residents to use the US Treasury website (www.uscurrency.gov) to help authenticate paper money.

The US Treasury Department offers these tips if you suspect a counterfeit bill note or have information about counterfeiting activity, please report it immediately to the U.S. Secret Service, or to your local police.

Check security features atwww.uscurrency.gov

For your personal safety. . .

PLEASE:

Do not put yourself in danger.

Do not return the bill to the passer.

Delay the passer with some excuse, if possible.

Observe the passer's description - and their companions' descriptions - and write down their vehicle license plate numbers if you can.

Contact your local police department OR call your local U.S. Secret Service Office.

Write your initials and date in the white border area of the suspected counterfeit note.

DO NOT handle the counterfeit note. Place it inside a protective cover, a plastic bag, or envelope to protect it until you place it in the hands of an IDENTIFIED Secret Service Agent.

Surrender the note or coin ONLY to a properly identified police officer or a Secret Service Special Agent or mail it to your nearest U.S. Secret Service field office.

Please Note: There is no financial remuneration for the return of the counterfeit bill, but it is doing the "right thing" to help combat counterfeiting.

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