Davis police arrested three Bay Area men this week as part of an investigation into the use of counterfeit bills at local stores.
Lt. Paul Doroshov said the probe by the police department’s Special Assignment and Focused Enforcement (SAFE) team began in early March, when counterfeit money was used to make a purchase of more than $1,000 — including a flat-screen television — from the Target store on Second Street.
It’s believed the same suspects then went to a Target store in the Natomas area of Sacramento and made a similar purchase, Doroshov said. Additional suspects are suspected of taking the merchandise to yet another Target store in Yuba City and returning the items for cash.
“So essentially they’re cleaning the money,” Doroshov said.
On Monday, officers served search warrants at homes in Richmond and Antioch, arresting Dequan Wright, 21, and Vernon Louisville, 40, on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy, Doroshov said. Wright also faces forgery charges.
Both were lodged at the Yolo County Jail.
While searching the Antioch residence, police arrested another man, 35-year-old Karam Louisville, on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Doroshov said. He was booked into the Contra Costa County jail.
Doroshov said the investigation is continuing in an attempt to identify the suspects who returned the fraudulently purchased property.
— Reach Lauren Keene at lkeene@davisenterprise.net or 530-747-8048. Follow her on Twitter at @laurenkeene