FRANKLIN, UK - Three Portsmouth men are in the Southampton County Jail after allegedly trying to pass off counterfeit bills at four Armory Drive gas stations; as reported by The Tidewater News last Friday.
The Franklin Police Department responded to the New Dixie Exxon in
reference to an individual attempting to pay with counterfeit money at
approximately 2 p.m. Thursday, but when they arrived the suspects were
gone.
Getting a description of the suspect and the vehicle, a white
Mercedes, officers broadcast the information to surrounding
jurisdictions.
By approximately 4 p.m., Southampton County Sheriff’s Office deputies
pulled the vehicle over and discovered additional counterfeit bills.
Further investigation led to the arrest of the three people. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges could surface.
Matthew Ryan Montoya, 22, 88 Morris St., was charged with conspiring
to utter, or attempting to employ as true a false, forged or base coin,
note or bill, knowing it to be false, eight counts, obtaining money by
false pretense, less than $200, three counts, and possessing 10 or more
forged bank notes, one count.
Gerald Leslie Neblett, 25, 1018 Victory Blvd., was charged with
conspiring to utter, or attempting to employ as true a false, forged or
base coin, note or bill, knowing it to be false, four counts, obtaining
by false pretense or token, less than $200, three counts.
Nicholas Lain Spencer, 27, 50 Prospect Pkwy., was charged with
conspiring to utter, or attempting to employ as true a false, forged or
base coin, note or bill, knowing it to be false, four counts, and
obtaining by false pretense or token, less than $200, three counts.
The suspects also reportedly tried to pass off counterfeit money at the Sunoco Food Mart, the Slip In and the Kangaroo.
