MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — Three teens were arrested after deputies said they were in possession of counterfeit currency and attempted to pass it off at multiple businesses in Pinellas County.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation began on Oct. 24, after business owners in Johns Pass reported that two suspects were passing counterfeit currency.
The two individuals, 18-year-old James Perry and 19-year-old Benjamin Warshowsky, entered the Spice & Tea Exchange located at 110 129th Avenue East and asked the employee to break four $20 bills.
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Benjamin Warshowsky, 19 Credit: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
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James Isaac Perry, 18 Credit: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
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Myles Mitchell Dorris, 19 Credit: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
The owner later found that the four bills were counterfeit. Detectives said that several businesses nearby reported receiving fraudulent bills as well.
During the investigation, detectives learned that a third suspect, 19-year-old Myles Dorris, was involved. They said that Perry, Warshowsky, and Dorris had altered the bills and planned to leave in a rental car to pass the bills in Georgia and Tennessee.
While attempting to contact the suspects, detectives said that Warshowsky fled on an electric bike and Dorris fled on foot. Both teens were apprehended shortly after.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office arrested the three men, and they were taken to the Pinellas County Jail.
During the arrests, detectives said they found almost $20,000 in counterfeit currency.
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