Possibly connected incidents of counterfeit and forgery were conducted on Andrew Johnson Highway and the Asheville Highway last night.
The first report came from Casa Guerrero on Andrew Johnson Highway at around 7:30 last night. A male and female had allegedly ordered food and drinks, finished their meal, and left without paying the bill. An employee took the license plate number of the vehicle the couple fled in, which was a black Kia. The unpaid receipt totaled $55.
Greeneville police responded less than an hour later, around 8 o’clock, to Salsa’s restaurant on the Asheville Highway. According to the report, a woman came to the store and ordered $20 worth of food, and paid with a $100 bill. After receiving $80 in change, she fled the scene. It was then discovered that the $100 bill was counterfeit.
Salsa’s employees gave police a description of the car the women fled in. A similar vehicle was spotted at Hardee’s on the Asheville highway where suspects Maurisha Edwards and Mark Ellis were discovered. Both stated they dropped off a girl fitting the description of the counterfeit suspect at Salsas but did not know who she was.
The last incident occurred at 9 pm at Thai’s Joy Restaurant on the Asheville Highway. According to the complainant, a male came into the store and paid a $20 tab with a $100 bill. $80 in change was given to the suspect, who then reportedly left in a hurry without his food. The $100 bill was later discovered to be counterfeit.
The Greeneville police department reported that the events are most likely connected. The investigation continues.
