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Last updated on Thursday, December 20, 2012
(UNDATED) - The arrest of a Columbus man might solve a majority of the 25-plus cases of counterfeit money reported in Columbus, Seymour, Brownstown and other areas.
In the past two months, The Republic reports, several counterfeit bills have been passed in and around restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores.
After publicity, Columbus Police Department received several tips that led them to 56-year-old Michael Orr, who was arrested Tuesday afternoon at his home in the 200 block of McKinley Avenue on preliminary charges of forgery and maintaining a common nuisance.
Counterfeit money was seized at the Orr's home, as well as at another home in the 7900 block of West Jennings County Road 600 North, where another suspect had been staying.
Orr also faces a preliminary charge of dealing in methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school after remnants of a drug lab were found during a search of his home.
The arrest of a Jackson County woman December 6 could help clear up some of the investigation into more than 40 counterfeit bills passed in Seymour, police said.
amantha Perez, 32, of Seymour faces nine counts of forgery in connection with the investigation.
Her arrest is not likely to be the last made in the case, Detective C.J. Foster said.
"This is an ongoing investigation," Foster said.
From small, local restaurants to large national retailers, police have taken fake money in denominations ranging from $1 to $100, though $20 and $50 bills were the most common.
"It is alarming, and it is a trend right now that we need to get control of," said Lt. Matt Myers, public information officer for Columbus Police Department.
Anyone with information about the counterfeit money or those passing it are asked to call police.
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