Austin Daily Herald, Minn. –
An 18-year-old Austin man was arrested Monday after allegedly passing counterfeit money to a local gas station.
Drew Novak was taken into custody after officers identified him as the man who gave a fake $20 bill to a cashier at the Fourth Avenue NW Kwik Trip early Saturday, according to Police Chief Brian Krueger.
Krueger said Novak came to the store around 12:30 a.m. Saturday to get change for a $20 bill. Novak received two $10 bills in return. Kwik Trip staff didn’t report the fake bill until about 6:15 a.m. Saturday.
Krueger said Novak has been interviewed about the counterfeit bill, part of a recent outbreak of fake currency in the area.
The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce sent an email Friday afternoon, alerting the community and businesses that several $20 bills were discovered at local stores.
Of the four $20 bills found on Friday, each had one of two serial numbers: IA49588024C or IF77643033F.
The bills are slightly smaller than a genuine bill and the texture of the paper is slightly different, according to the Chamber. The bills are printed on poor-quality paper. The texture is smooth and feels more like typing paper than the safety paper used for currency.
Novak’s case has been forwarded to the Mower County Attorney’s office.