Police arrested a man suspected of using counterfeit money at a Las Cruces Walmart store.
Derick Symalla, 28, of the 1900 block of west Picacho Avenue, is charged with three counts of forgery. All three counts are fourth-degree felonies.
Las Cruces police learned of the incident sometime before 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Walmart, 571 Walton Blvd. Investigators learned that Symalla was purchasing groceries and handed the cashier six $20 bills. Three of those bills were determined to be counterfeit and two of those three had the same serial number.
Symalla indicated to investigators he knew the $20 bills were counterfeit because he allegedly made them. Symalla was arrested Friday evening and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he’s initially being held without bond.
The Federal Reserve prints only seven denominations of paper currency in $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills. Tips to help differentiate between real and fake currency:
- Compare the feel and texture of the currency to other bills you know are authentic.
- If the currency’s ink or color smears, the bill is likely a fake.
- Look for matching serial numbers. Fake bills often have the same serial numbers.
- Hold the bill to a light. Authentic currency has: 1, a holograph on the face image of the bill; 2, a thin vertical stripe with text that spells the bill’s denomination; 3, a watermark to the right of the portrait; 4, a security thread imbedded from top to bottom on the face of the bill that indicates the currency value.
- Look for color-shifting ink on the numeral in the lower right-hand corner of authentic currency. In all denominations, except the $5, the color should shift from green to black.
- Authentic bills have fine-line patterns behind the portrait and on the reverse-side scene.
- Under ultraviolet glow, an authentic $5 bill glows blue, the $10 bill glows orange, the $20 is green, the $50 is yellow and the $100 will glow red.
If you suspect counterfeit currency, call police immediately:
- Observe the passer’s description, their companion’s description and relevant information such as the vehicle they are in, license plate number, etc.
- Avoid handling the counterfeit note. Place it in a protective cover or envelope until it’s handed over to law enforcement.
Information from Las Cruces Police