Police on St. Croix arrested Carlos Figueroa, 21, Pedro J. Parrilla, 20, and Juan Illaraza, 19, and charged them with possession of counterfeit money and passing counterfeit money.
A 16-year-old minor who accompanied the men was turned over to the Youth Investigation Bureau.
According to police reports the suspects were arrested around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday near the Amigos Gas Station in Estate Campo Rico. Police said Parrilla attempted to buy merchandise from the store with counterfeit $20 bills while the other suspects waited outside. When police arrived on the scene the suspects tried to leave the area but were detained.
Officers confiscated a bag containing several counterfeit bills from the suspects, the report says. Bail for Parrilla, Illaraza and Figueroa was set at $10,000 each and they were remanded to Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility.
Insular Investigation Bureau detectives said they are still seeking additional suspects who are manufacturing and passing counterfeit bills in the territory. The public is warned to continue to be watchful when receiving money, especially $20, $50 and $100 bills.
