Port St. Lucie police recently arrested a man connected to multiple cases involving counterfeit money in Port St. Lucie’s Tradition community. The suspect, identified as Duane Everton Clarke, 42, faces several felony charges related to counterfeit currency.
Details of the Counterfeit Money Arrest in Tradition
On March 18, Port St. Lucie police apprehended Clarke following accusations of using a counterfeit $50 bill at Clean Eatz, a restaurant located in the 10800 block of Southwest Village Parkway, west of Interstate 95. Investigators linked Clarke to two additional counterfeit money incidents at nearby eateries, Tropical Smoothie and Subway, both situated in the 10600 block of Southwest Village Parkway.
An employee at Clean Eatz informed authorities that Clarke paid for coffee with a counterfeit $50 bill. The employee initially did not recognize the bill as fake but became suspicious after another business employee reported Clarke attempting to use counterfeit money at their location as well.
Evidence and Charges Against Duane Clarke
Police reported finding 10 counterfeit bills in four different denominations in Clarke’s possession at the time of his arrest. Clarke allegedly admitted to police officers that the bills appeared “funny looking,” but he did not explicitly acknowledge knowing they were counterfeit.
Clarke was charged with a total of eight felony counts related to possessing and distributing counterfeit money. Authorities also discovered Clarke had an outstanding forgery warrant from Arkansas, further complicating his legal situation.
Connection to Fort Pierce Counterfeit Case
Investigators noted that a serial number from one of the counterfeit bills found on Clarke matched evidence from an ongoing counterfeit money case in Fort Pierce. Port St. Lucie police have reached out to Fort Pierce authorities for additional information regarding this related investigation.
Bond and Jail Information
As of Monday, Clarke remained in custody at the St. Lucie County Jail on a bond set at $35,000, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.
Community Impact and Awareness
The Tradition community, a popular area in Port St. Lucie, is home to several restaurants and retail establishments. Local businesses are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious currency transactions to authorities immediately.
Port St. Lucie police continue to investigate whether Clarke may be linked to additional counterfeit currency cases in the area or surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counterfeit Money Port St. Lucie
What is counterfeit money?
Counterfeit money is fake currency made to look like real money. It is illegal to create, use, or possess counterfeit bills. The United States Secret Service is responsible for investigating counterfeit currency cases across the country.
How much counterfeit money was found with the suspect in Port St. Lucie?
Police found 10 counterfeit bills in four different denominations with the suspect, Duane Clarke, during his arrest.
Are there other counterfeit money cases in Tradition?
Yes, police linked Clarke to counterfeit money cases at Tropical Smoothie and Subway, both located in Tradition.
Can you identify counterfeit money easily?
Sometimes counterfeit bills look real, but they often feel different or have unusual printing. Businesses use special pens or scanners to detect fake money.
Where are counterfeit money incidents most common in Port St. Lucie?
Incidents can occur anywhere, but recently, several cases were reported in the Tradition area, particularly at restaurants and retail stores.
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