Maries County Sheriff’s Belle Division releases crime reports

Division opens new counterfeit money case

By Roxie Murphy, Staff Writer

Posted 5/6/20

BELLE — The Maries County Sheriff’s Office Belle Division released its crime reports for both March and April.

In March, deputies conducted 66 traffic stops with 15 citations. In …

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Maries County Sheriff’s Belle Division releases crime reports

Division opens new counterfeit money case

Some counterfeit bills may have the words “For Motion Picture Use Only” on them, while others closely appear as a “real” bill. As seen on the fake $100 dollar bill (above) that was passed in Belle Monday, common discrepancies that can signify a bill is counterfeit include oversized borders and incomplete 3-D Security Ribbons (the blue strip) — which should go from edge to edge. Some counterfeit bills may even pass the pen test. Bills that are genuine have distinct markings that validate them which include vertical security threads on which the denomination of the bill is printed and a watermark in the “open” space of the bill which usually matches the portrait on the note with the exception of the five dollar bill. To check a bill for its authenticity using these methods, simply hold it up to the light.

Photo Submitted

Posted Wednesday, May 6, 2020 5:43 pm

By Roxie Murphy, Staff Writer

BELLE — The Maries County Sheriff’s Office Belle Division released its crime reports for both March and April.

In March, deputies conducted 66 traffic stops with 15 citations. In April, they conducted 32 traffic stops and nine citations. Sheriff Chris Heitman said the majority of citizens were issued verbal warnings.

“Over the last two months, the Belle Division has investigated four thefts, three of which were solved, and conducted 11 drug investigations,” according to an email from Heitman. “Some of those arrests are pending because of the virus.”

The sheriff says there were several other minor calls that were addressed as well.

“We have had a lot of positive feedback in Belle with several citizens reporting how much safer they feel,” Heitman said. “We have had a few noise and traffic complaints. I would ask that citizens continue to call in their complaints to 573-259-3535 as they are occurring, so we are more likely to be able to catch the suspects.”

Heitman reminds citizens that as restaurants and businesses begin to open, to be safe.

“I encourage people to continue to support the local businesses, while practicing social distancing,” Heitman said.

The Belle Division also posted Monday on their Facebook page that they are working a case involving counterfeit money in Belle that passes the “ink test.”

“Be sure to familiarize yourself with security measures of U.S. currency,” a Belle Division deputy wrote. “Also be sure to read and look over the money many times, it has wording about being for movie use or other non-standard uses.”

When asked about the counterfeit investigation, Heitman confirmed that “people are trying to pass counterfeit bills.”

The incident first came to the sheriff’s attention when reports were filed Monday, May 4, that Maries County Bank employee Jenna Beranson found a fake $100 bill in a deposit made by Daryl White Jr.

According to the report, White said he received it from “Mr. Buttermire at the muffler shop in Belle, who withdrew it from Legends Bank in Belle.”

The reporting party does not think White intentionally tried to deposit the counterfeit bill, nor does White believe he was knowingly given fake money, according to the report.

The Rolla Police Department has also posted that they are searching for three African-American men who have spent counterfeit bills in their area.