A Marion County sheriff’s deputy was called to an Ocala Publix grocery store on Tuesday after a man dressed in all black attempted to make a purchase with money used in movies.
When the deputy arrived at the store, located at 2765 NW 49th Ave., the assistant customer service manager told him that a man came in shortly after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and attempted to make a purchase with a $100 bill that he believed was counterfeit. The cashier observed that the bill had the words “For Motion Picture Purposes” printed on it and notified management of the issue.
The assistant customer service manager said when he approached the man about the $100 bill, he said he had worked all day and his boss have given him the money as payment. When the man was told that law enforcement had been called, he walked out of the store and left in a blue Ford Expedition, a sheriff’s office report states.
The assistant customer service manager said he just wanted the deputy to take the money out of the store. He said they didn’t want to press charges against the man because he didn’t leave the store with any items, the report says.
The deputy looked at the bill and noted that is appeared to pass the counterfeit pen test. But the store’s manager said that test isn’t always accurate. The deputy also noted the words “For Motion Picture Purposes” printed on both sides of the bill, the report says.
The deputy took the $100 bill and submitted it into evidence at the sheriff’s office’s North Multi-District facility.