The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested two Tampa men Wednesday afternoon for attempting to return merchandise they purchased using counterfeit bills.
Just before 5:00 p.m., deputies were notified by loss prevention personnel at Home Depot located at 4111 Cattlemen Road in Sarasota, of a possible scheme to defraud. According to loss prevention personnel, two suspects made a purchase at a Home Depot in Manatee County using counterfeit bills, before attempting to return the stolen items at the Sarasota store. Patrol and Tactical Unit deputies immediately responded and initiated a traffic stop on the suspect’s vehicle. During a search, deputies recovered a total of 20 counterfeit $100 bills along with marijuana and oxycodone. Both men were taken into custody and transported to the Sarasota County Correctional Facility.
Both Tariq Allen, DOB 04/13/97, and Re’Shawn Singleton, DOB 03/23/95, face the same charges including Possession of Counterfeit Bills, Dealing in Stolen Property, Possession of Oxycodone, and Possession of Marijuana. Allen remains in custody today on $11,000 bond. Singleton was released early Thursday morning.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.