Mall security chases funny money suspect www.privateofficer.com

VERO BEACH, Fla.Dec 31 2010 — A Miami man was arrested Tuesday after he used counterfeit cash to buy merchandise and gift cards from the Indian River Mall, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office said.

Wayne Wisdom was arrested on multiple counts of uttering forged bills.

According to the arrest report, Wisdom used four counterfeit $100 bills to make purchases at Yankee Candle, Spencer’s, Dillard’s and Sports Haven.

An employee at Sports Haven noticed the ink smearing on one of the bills and pointed out Wisdom to security officers, who chased him through the mall, the report stated.

Wisdom was eventually apprehended and found to have a counterfeit $100 bill, bundles of change from his purchases, gifts cards and a Spencer’s receipt in his pockets, the report said.

When asked how he had obtained the counterfeit bills, Wisdom said he didn’t make them and that he needed money because he had to eat, according to the report.

The U.S. Secret Service field office in West Palm Beach investigated and confirmed that the bills were counterfeit.

Authorities in Brevard County said Wisdom has been identified as passing counterfeit bills at a mall there on the same day. Wisdom faces additional charges.