The Picayune Police Department is investigating a report of a male suspect who reportedly stole items and attempted to use counterfeit bills at two local businesses in June.

On June 19 at 11:27 p.m., officers were dispatched to a Shell gas station, located at 1100 Memorial Blvd., in reference to the suspect, who attempted to use counterfeit money to pay for several products, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.

When officers arrived, the complainant said the suspect entered the store attempting to pay for gas and several drinks with a counterfeit $50 bill. The complainant told police she advised the suspect the bill was counterfeit and kept it in order to report it to police. The store’s surveillance video later recovered by investigators shows the suspect left the store with the drinks without paying for them, Magri said.

Through their initial investigation, officers confirmed the bill to be counterfeit, displaying serial number, MD30091346A, Magri said.

They also learned the suspect attempted to purchase food with counterfeit money at the IHOP that same night, located at 500 S. Lofton. An employee said the suspect allegedly attempted to pay for food with what she believed to be a counterfeit $100 bill, Magri said. She said she didn’t accept the bill and handed it back to the suspect. At that time, he attempted to use a debit card, which was expired. Surveillance video shows he left the restaurant with the food without paying, Magri said.

The male suspect seen in the videos is described as a black male wearing a gray Jurassic Park T-shirt, dark-colored shorts and black high-top converse, Magri said.

Magri urges businesses to be wary of counterfeit money.

“We’re asking for clerks to please pay close attention to large bills during this time because there could be a possible influx that’s going around and there are believed to be more counterfeit bills that have been passed through Picayune currently being investigated,” Magri said.

Anyone with information about this case or those who believe they received counterfeit money at their business are asked to notify the police department by calling (601) 798-7411 or Crime Stoppers at (601) 799-2583, Magri said.