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E-mail StoryOildale man accused of counterfeiting
| Wednesday, Aug 1 2007 9:30 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Aug 1 2007 9:32 PM
Police arrested an Oildale man with $6,000 of fake currency and the machinery to make more.
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A sheriff's deputy conducted a routine traffic stop on Sunday and found the suspect with counterfeit bills.The discovery led to a search warrant for the driver's home, where deputies found more counterfeit currency and items used to create fake money, according to Sgt. Ed Komin of the Kern County Sheriff's Department.
Douglas Baker, 46, was booked into the Central Receiving Facility on suspicion of 83 counts of possession of counterfeit bills, five counts of being a felon in possession of ammunition and possession of methamphetamine. He also had an active warrant for his arrest for driving on a suspended license, Komin said.
Deputy Cindy Bingham stopped Baker near Ray Street and Wells Avenue on Sunday and found counterfeit $20 bills in his wallet. The officer recognized the fake bills by the texture, and realized the serial numbers were identical, Komin said.
"At first glance you wouldn't notice," he said.
Police got a search warrant for Baker's residence in the 200 block of Douglas Street. Deputies found counterfeit $20 and $100 bills along with items used to create counterfeit money, including a computer, printer, scanner, cotton paper, paper cutter and various ink cartridges. Komin said civilians can buy cotton paper, but it's uncommon.
Ammunition and suspected meth were also found in the residence. Because of the nature of the transactions, counterfeit money is fairly common where drugs are being sold, Komin said.
Baker is now in jail on a parole hold without bail.
If you suspect you have a counterfeit bill, limit the handling of the note and give it to police or the Secret Service.
Unfortunately, if you do get duped by a counterfeiter the government won't reimburse you, Komin said.
Southwest Coins and Jewelry owner Katharina Jarvi said fake money has been circulating through Bakersfield for the last year, and knows business owners who have received it.
"If you look at the watermark, it has to match the face," she said. "We know what to look for, so I'm not worried."