Police arrest pair they say tried to use fake $100 bills at Arroyo Grande Walmart
The Arroyo Grande Police Department arrested two people for alleged counterfeiting and identity theft.
According to a police news release, officers were alerted to a subject trying to pass counterfeit $100 bills at Walmart in Arroyo Grande on Dec. 5. The suspect fled in a vehicle prior to officers’ arrival, police said.
Based on surveillance footage, the suspect was identified as Michael Anthony Hooper, 34, of Oceano, police said.
Officers found and arrested Hooper for an outstanding felony warrant on Dec. 19.
A search of his residence revealed “additional counterfeit currency, currency that was in the process of being washed and printed, along with equipment and supplies used to process and create counterfeit currency,” according to the release.
Evidence of identity theft was also found, police say.
The Arroyo Grande Police Department is working with the U.S. Secret Service on this investigation.
Claudia Patricia Ritter, 39, of Oceano, was identified as an additional suspect. Like Hooper, she was arrested and booked at San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of possession of forged or counterfeit currency and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Hooper faces an additional charge of making or passing counterfeit currency.
Hooper and Ritter remained in jail custody as of early Thursday afternoon, with bail for both set at $20,000.
This story was originally published December 20, 2018 at 12:30 PM.
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