CRIME BLOTTER

Counterfeit $100 bills used in theft scheme across WA counties, 2 arrested

Oct 24, 2025, 8:51 AM

WA counterfeit bills Redmond...

A side-by-side photo of the narcotics and counterfeit bill seized by the Redmond Police Department. (Photo courtesy of the Redmond Police Department)

(Photo courtesy of the Redmond Police Department)

A scheme involving the use of fake $100 bills to steal thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise across several Washington counties has been halted with the arrests of two suspects.

In January 2025, the Redmond Police Department (RPD) responded to reports of a female suspect shoplifting from stores in the area. The suspect fled, but officers were able to identify the woman, RPD announced.

An RPD investigation uncovered that the female suspect was involved in a widespread theft and counterfeiting scheme across multiple counties, using fake U.S. currency to steal tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and gift cards.

Suspects filmed shoplifting from Redmond store

Surveillance footage captured in April 2025 revealed that a female and a male suspect were shoplifting at a store in Redmond.

The male suspect had a history of domestic violence and was later arrested by SWAT in May for an unrelated first-degree assault case with a gun in Seattle.

RPD detectives later discovered the male suspect had repeatedly violated his protection orders. Following his release from jail, officers found the male suspect at a local hotel with a loaded firearm, extended magazines, narcotics, and cash.

The male suspect was taken into custody and charged with several felonies.

Months later on Oct. 2, another Washington police department arrested the female suspect after a vehicle pursuit. The female suspect currently faces multiple charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle, forgery, theft, and endangerment with a controlled substance.

“Incredible teamwork by Redmond PD and our partner agencies in bringing these suspects to justice!” RPD shared on social media.

Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

Crime Blotter

SWAT standoff Kent...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Suspect in multiple shootings dies by apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound during SWAT standoff

A 20-year-old suspected in at least two shootings died by suicide in a SWAT standoff in Kent while officers were trying to arrest him. According to Kent PD, the man was believed to have been involved in a drive-by shooting at a Tacoma Walmart on Tuesday night. Tacoma officers were trying to arrest a shoplifting suspect […]

2 hours ago

seattle hate crime attack...

Jason Sutich

2 victims pin down suspect after hate crime attack in downtown Seattle

A 40-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly injured two men in a hate crime attack late Tuesday night in downtown Seattle.

6 hours ago

puyallup white prison gang...

MyNorthwest Staff

‘Flooding our streets with poison’: Puyallup man tied to white prison gangs sentenced to 11 years

A Puyallup man was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role as a narcotic distributor for a drug trafficking organization tied to white prison gangs.

7 hours ago

walmart...

James Lynch

Shots fired outside Tacoma Walmart as officer struggles to arrest teen accused of shoplifting

A juvenile shoplifting arrest outside a Tacoma Walmart turned into a shooting scare when someone in a passing vehicle fired multiple shots.

8 hours ago

jet ski drug smuggling wa canadian hacker data breach...

MyNorthwest Staff

‘Hiding behind a screen’: Canadian hacker pleads guilty in data breach affecting 100M people

A 26-year-old Canadian man pleaded guilty to a widespread computer hacking conspiracy that resulted in the compromise of more than 165 victim organizations.

10 hours ago

U-District attack...

Jack Bilyeu, KIRO 7 News

21-year-old suffers brain bleed after U-District attack over parking space

A 21-year-old ended her birthday in the hospital bleeding from her brain after she was attacked in Seattle’s U-District neighborhood.

11 hours ago

Counterfeit $100 bills used in theft scheme across WA counties, 2 arrested