Man arrested in counterfeit case
POST FALLS — An Edmonds, Wash., man was arrested Friday for possessing "several hundred" dollars in counterfeit bills and allegedly attempting to flee a grocery store after trying to make a purchase, according to police.
Riley Borup, 23, was arrested for felony forgery and misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after allegedly fleeing on foot from Super 1 Foods in Post Falls, Post Falls Police Detective Neil Uhrig said.
Borup attempted to make a purchase around 3:20 p.m. with a counterfeit $50 bill, Uhrig said.
The bill passed the test with a counterfeit-detection pen, but the alert female clerk noticed it didn't have a proper watermark.
"When (Borup) attempted to grab it back from her the bill ripped in half so she then had half of it and he had half of it," Uhrig said. "The cashier knew her stuff. Some people depend on the marking pens, but that isn't always the best indicator. This cashier knew what money is supposed to look like."
Borup fled the store on foot with store employees in pursuit, Uhrig said.
The foot chase went onto Mullan Avenue with a Super 1 staff member in touch with police on the phone regarding the location.
"An officer was just down the street and, when he pulled up, he ordered the suspect to get on his knees," Uhrig said, adding that Borup complied with the command.
Police found "several hundred" dollars in counterfeit bills both on Borup and inside his vehicle in the Super 1 parking lot, Uhrig said. Uhrig didn't immediately have a more specific amount.
Uhrig said great teamwork between the store staff and officer led to the arrest.
"This not only prevented a financial loss to the business, but possibly others in the community," he said.
Uhrig said he attempted to interview Borup on Monday, but the suspect exercised his right to an attorney.
"Unfortunately, I didn't get to find all the answers, but maybe those will be uncovered further in the investigation," Uhrig said. "I'd like to know if he manufactured the money and, if not, where did it come from? This could be more involved because he had multiple (counterfeit) bills."