New Yorkers Allegedly Used Fake $100 Bills at Maine Stores

Three people from the Bronx, New York are facing charges for allegedly trying to pass counterfeit $100 bills in Auburn.

When Auburn Police officers arrived at the Home Depot, at around 5:30 Friday evening, two male suspects took off running, while a female subject was apprehended. Management had called the police because the trio had allegedly tried to buy their merchandise with counterfeit $100 bills. A quick search was coordinated, and the two male suspects were taken into custody a short time later.

An investigation revealed that the trio had been traveling from New York to Maine, stopping at Home Depot locations along the way, using the fake money to buy high-value items. They were successful in using the bills to make several purchases at the Augusta Home Depot, for a total of $3,500 in merchandise. When they tried to do the same at the Auburn store, each of the three suspects tried to buy over $1,000 worth of items, using different checkout lines, all at the same time. Only one of the purchases was approved, which delayed the suspect from leaving the store, allowing officers time to respond.

19-year-old Shaniya Jade Simmons, 22-year-old Kshawn Vincent Brooks, and 22-year-old Sadie Hiers, all from the Bronx, are charged with Aggravated Forgery. Bail has been set at $25,000 cash. Because this case involves a significant amount of counterfeit currency. the Secret Service has been notified and will review the case for possible federal charges.