Florida men caught by mall security, police passing counterfeit $100 bills in Nebraska
KEARNEY, Neb. May 31 2021— Two Florida men are charged with first-degree forgery after Kearney Police said they attempted to pass counterfeit $100 bills at multiple Hilltop Mall stores in exchange for gift cards Wednesday.
Brent Scott, 36, of Fort Myers, Fla., is charged in Buffalo County Court with two count of first-degree forgery. Johnnie Peacock Jr., 36, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., is charged with one count of first-degree forgery.
In a probable cause affidavit, a KPD officer said they were called shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday to the Hilltop Mall following a report of two Black males attempting to pass counterfeit bills at multiple stores. The mall’s security manager told police the men were in a silver Nissan sedan parked near Planet Fitness.
According to the affidavit, the officer located the vehicle and contacted Peacock Jr. inside. Scott later walked up to the vehicle.
The KPD officer said he contacted staff members at Bath and Body Works, JCPenney and Sports Village who said two Black males attempted to purchase gift cards with counterfeit $100 bills.
KPD said in the affidavit that surveillance footage showed Scott passing two of the counterfeit bills at JCPenney and Sports Village. Additional footage showed Peacock Jr. passing a counterfeit bill at Bath and Body Works.
Peacock Jr. and Scott are currently lodged in the Buffalo County Jail. Both men are scheduled to appear in Buffalo County Court for a preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. June 11.
