ress Release:SHERIFF'S DETECTIVES UNCOVER COUNTERFEIT MONEY MAKING OPERATION

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release

SHERIFF'S DETECTIVES UNCOVER COUNTERFEIT MONEY MAKING OPERATION

March 14, 2008

Riverbank, CA - Sheriff’s Detectives from Riverbank Police Services arrested 3 people in connection with a counterfeit money making operation late Thursday night. Sheriff Detectives received information from investigators at the Target store in Riverbank about counterfeit $100 bills being used in their store. The store investigator told detectives that a store employee was possible involved with the counterfeit money. Detectives contacted a store cashier, Valerie Craven of Riverbank, and interviewed her about the counterfeit money. Craven was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail for burglary, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and making paper money.

Detective also obtained and served at search warrant at Craven’s home in the 6500 block of Jackson Ave in Riverbank. At the house detectives found numerous items used to make counterfeit money including computers, printers, a heat press, inks, dies, and paper cutters. Over $29,000 in counterfeit $100 bills were found. Craven’s boyfriend Clay Roberts and Michael Keys, both from Riverbank, were at the home and were arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail.


VALERIE CRAVEN


CLAY ROBERTS


MICHAEL KEYS

Detectives said that Roberts would use the counterfeit money at the Target store when his girlfriend, Craven, was working as cashier. Roberts would buy an item that only cost a few dollars and pay with a counterfeit $100 bill. Craven would not check the bill and would return the change in real money. Target investigators believe the exchange has occurred about 3 times since February 4, 2008. Craven also made a payment on her Target credit card with 2 counterfeit $100 bills.

The United States Secret Service is assisting with the investigation to determine if these counterfeit bills have been used in other areas. “We think these guys have used the counterfeit bills in other areas,” said Riverbank Detective Mark Copeland. “We want to get the word out to people that there might be some more counterfeit $100 bill out there.”

Sheriff’s Detectives ask if anyone has recently received a counterfeit $100 bill in the Riverbank area to please call the Sheriff’s Department.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Riverbank Detective Mark Copeland at (209) 652-1792.

Callers can also leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.

For information regarding this press release please contact Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department Public Information Officer Royjindar Singh (209) 567-4401.


PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release SHERIFF'S DETECTIVES UNCOVER COUNTERFEIT MONEY MAKING OPERATION March 14, 2008
Riverbank, CA - Sheriff’s Detectives from Riverbank Police Services arrested 3 people in connection with a counterfeit money making operation late Thursday night. Sheriff Detectives received information from investigators at the Target store in Riverbank about counterfeit $100 bills being used in their store. The store investigator told detectives that a store employee was possible involved with the counterfeit money. Detectives contacted a store cashier, Valerie Craven of Riverbank, and interviewed her about the counterfeit money. Craven was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail for burglary, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and making paper money. Detective also obtained and served at search warrant at Craven’s home in the 6500 block of Jackson Ave in Riverbank. At the house detectives found numerous items used to make counterfeit money including computers, printers, a heat press, inks, dies, and paper cutters. Over $29,000 in counterfeit $100 bills were found. Craven’s boyfriend Clay Roberts and Michael Keys, both from Riverbank, were at the home and were arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail.
VALERIE CRAVEN	CLAY ROBERTS	MICHAEL KEYS
Detectives said that Roberts would use the counterfeit money at the Target store when his girlfriend, Craven, was working as cashier. Roberts would buy an item that only cost a few dollars and pay with a counterfeit $100 bill. Craven would not check the bill and would return the change in real money. Target investigators believe the exchange has occurred about 3 times since February 4, 2008. Craven also made a payment on her Target credit card with 2 counterfeit $100 bills. The United States Secret Service is assisting with the investigation to determine if these counterfeit bills have been used in other areas. “We think these guys have used the counterfeit bills in other areas,” said Riverbank Detective Mark Copeland. “We want to get the word out to people that there might be some more counterfeit $100 bill out there.” Sheriff’s Detectives ask if anyone has recently received a counterfeit $100 bill in the Riverbank area to please call the Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Riverbank Detective Mark Copeland at (209) 652-1792. Callers can also leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward. For information regarding this press release please contact Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department Public Information Officer Royjindar Singh (209) 567-4401.