Alleged counterfeiter is homeless

OCALA, Fla., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- A Florida man arrested on counterfeiting charges told investigators he used a printer to create fake $20 and $50 bills, authorities said.

The Ocala Police Department said investigators believe a man who attempted to use a fake $20 bill Monday at the Dollar General store on State Road 40 to be William Kyle LaRose, 28, who had an arrest warrant out for uttering a forged bill in a separate case, the Ocala Star-Banner reported Wednesday.

LaRose was picked up by a detective a short while later and admitted to attempting to use the $20 bill. He was found to be carrying 18 counterfeit $20 bills, each bearing the same serial number as the bill from the Dollar General store, and he told police he had been using counterfeit bills at an Aldi store, where police recovered three identical counterfeit $50 bills.

Police said LaRose, who described himself as homeless and a drug addict, told them he used a printer to create the faux bills, but he did not say where the printer was located.

LaRose was jailed on charges of uttering counterfeit bills and possession of more than 10 counterfeit bills.