Cops find $2,300 in counterfeit bills; suspicion raised after
fake $20 used at ice cream shop
Morgan Hill – A Gilroy man was one of five people arrested in Morgan Hill in connection with a $2,300 counterfeit operation, after a Baskin Robbins employee noticed a bogus $20 bill and called police.
Morgan Hill Police said Gilroy-resident Jose Quiroz, 40, was arrested at the Economy Inn on Monterey Road in Morgan Hill Monday night, on suspicion of possession of a counterfeit bill and being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was booked into Santa Clara County Jail and bail set at $21,000.
“Although Quiroz possessed some of the counterfeit money, he was not necessarily involved in making it,” Morgan Hill Police Department Sgt. Dave Swing said.
Quiroz was staying at the hotel, along with other persons in an another room involved in the counterfeit operation. Officers found a laptop computer, printer, glitter pens, specialty scissors, and other counterfeit money making paraphernalia in the rooms.
Swing said that the Secret Service was called in Tuesday morning to examine the fake bills and evidence, and that the case has been forwarded to the District Attorney’s office. He said there is a possibility the case may go to the U.S Attorney’s Office.
“Whatever the amount, we take this counterfeit case very seriously. Our day shift patrol came across it, and then we called the Secret Service in to look at the case along with Morgan Hill Police detectives,” Swing said, noting that only $20 denominations bills were counterfeited.
Quiroz was also arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property, after Morgan Hill Police discovered a 1991 Ford Explorer, stolen from Gilroy, was parked in the hotel parking lot where Quiroz and other persons involved in the counterfeit operation were staying. Swing said the vehicle was returned to the owner.
An observant Baskin Robbins employee at Cochrane Plaza called police after Damian Winding, 35, of San Jose, tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. Officers apprehended Winding, discovered he was a wanted felon with an active warrant, and found methamphetamine in his sock. Swing said Winding was arrested on suspicion of violating parole, possession of a controlled substance, burglary and possession of counterfeit bills. He was booked into Santa Clara County jail and held without bail.
Swing applauded the actions of the Baskin Robbins clerk.
“Some other clerks might not have realized it, depending on the quality of the bills,” Swing said.
Police also discovered a hotel key in Winding’s pants pocket that led them to the two rooms at the Economy Inn, one of which was Quiroz’s room.
Janelle Enriquez, 24, of San Jose was in the same room as Quiroz when police arrested him. She was subsequently arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, and booked and cited at the Morgan Hill Police department.
Morgan Hill Police also kept an eye out for a green Jeep, which Winding was seen riding in as a passenger. Morgan Hill officer Curtis Berlin spotted the vehicle behind a Chevron Gas Station on Vineyard Boulevard in Morgan Hill. Inside, police discovered more counterfeit money, and arrested occupants Raymond Savage, 41, and Alia Boncheff, 26, both of San Jose. Winding was not inside the car.
Savage was arrested on suspicion of possession of counterfeit bills, and booked into Santa Clara County Jail. Swing said he was released on his own recognizance.
Boncheff was arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of a counterfeit bill and for possessing counterfeit making material. She was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail. Her bail was set at $93,000.
Rachelle Gines is an intern attending San Francisco State University. Reach her at 847-7158 or rg****@gi************.com.
