Four people are in custody after investigators said they tried to pass fake $100 bills at two Publix stores in Martin County, Florida, in what deputies described as a simple but costly scheme: buy something small, pay with counterfeit cash, and walk away with real money in change.
CBS 12 News reporter Jamilka Gibson reported from the Publix near Southwest Martin Highway, where authorities said the first incident happened Sunday. According to Gibson, the suspects had crossed county lines from Miami-Dade and Broward counties into Martin County, but alert Publix employees noticed something was wrong with the bills and called law enforcement.
“Their plan was simple,” Gibson said. “Spend a little and get a lot back.”
That plan did not last long.
Employees Noticed Something Was Off
Gibson reported that the first attempt happened at a Publix along Southwest Martin Highway in Palm City.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, at least three suspects entered the store, but only one was successful in using a counterfeit $100 bill. Deputies said Ramon Walton bought a Caesar wrap, popcorn chicken, Cheetos, and Doritos for a total of $13.98.
After handing over the fake bill, investigators said Walton received $85.18 in real change from the Publix employee.
It was a small purchase, but that was the point. Counterfeit schemes like this often depend on making the transaction seem normal enough that a cashier does not slow down to inspect the money closely.
That is what makes the alert employees important here. They were not just ringing up groceries. They noticed something was wrong, and that small moment of suspicion helped deputies connect the dots before the group could keep moving from store to store.
Deputies Say The Group Moved To Another Publix
After the first incident, Gibson reported, the group went to another Publix near Southwest Kanner Highway in Stuart.
This time, deputies were already ahead of them.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said deputies walked into the second Publix with a photo of the suspect, hoping to warn employees before another fake bill could be used.
“Deputies walked in armed with the photo of our suspect to warn the Publix employees there,” Budensiek said in Gibson’s report.
But the timing was almost immediate. According to the sheriff, one of the suspects was already inside the store trying to make a transaction when deputies arrived.
“Well, he walks in and one of our suspects is actually standing there trying to do a transaction,” Budensiek said. “So as soon as our suspects saw our deputy they try to walk out and they were detained.”
Gibson reported that the suspects were detained inside a car in the parking lot.
That detail gives the case an almost strange kind of timing. Deputies were not just investigating after the fact. They arrived while another alleged attempt was unfolding, which likely helped stop the group before more stores were hit.
Four Suspects Were Arrested
The four suspects were identified as Shenteria Brumfield, 33; Yaimara Rodriguez, 44; Ramon Walton, 34; and Demiturs Stephens, 31.
According to Gibson’s report, the group is collectively facing several charges, including scheme to defraud, uttering a false instrument, accessory after the fact to a third-degree felony, and petit theft.
Deputies said they recovered about $8,000 in counterfeit currency.
No injuries were reported during the incidents, but the sheriff’s office said the case is part of a larger concern about fake money circulating in the area.
That broader warning matters because counterfeit cash does not only hurt big companies. It can also affect small restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, and workers who are trying to move quickly through a busy line.
A fake $100 bill used on a $14 purchase may not look like a major crime from the outside, but the business loses the merchandise, the real cash handed back as change, and sometimes extra time and money dealing with the report.
Investigators Say The Fake Bills Had Warning Signs
Budensiek said the counterfeit bills looked real at first glance, but investigators found signs that they were not genuine.
“You know, the watermarks aren’t where they need to be,” the sheriff said. “A lot of times the bills are actually smaller.”
He also said the bills had a strange sheen, making them look shinier than normal currency.
“These were a little bit shinier than normal bills,” Budensiek said.
According to Gibson’s report, the sheriff said some of the bills may not have simply been printed from scratch. They may have been altered from real lower-value bills, such as $1 or $5 bills, which were washed or bleached and then printed as $100 bills.
That kind of counterfeit can be harder to spot than a poorly printed fake because the paper may feel closer to real currency. Still, investigators said there were clues, including watermark problems, size differences, and the unusual shine.
This is where the case becomes useful as a warning. Most people do not inspect every bill they receive, and many cashiers are under pressure to keep lines moving. But one suspicious detail can be enough to stop a larger scheme.
Sheriff’s Office Says This Has Happened Before
Gibson reported that the Martin County Sheriff’s Office is urging businesses to remain alert because counterfeit currency has become a recurring issue.
“This is a recurring theme that we’ve seen over and over,” Budensiek said.
Authorities on the Treasure Coast have warned in recent months about fake bills being used at restaurants, convenience stores, and retail chains. Investigators have also seen counterfeit money with identical serial numbers, which they say can be a red flag for a more organized operation.
The sheriff’s office also warned retailers and shoppers last fall about fake $20 bills moving through the area during busy shopping periods.
That history adds weight to this latest case. Deputies are not treating it as a one-time mistake or a single bad bill. They are looking at it as part of a pattern where suspects move between businesses, use large counterfeit bills on small purchases, and collect real change before anyone catches on.
A Simple Scheme With Real Costs
The alleged scheme described by Gibson is not complicated, and that may be why it can work.
A person walks into a store, buys a snack or a small meal, pays with a fake $100 bill, and leaves with far more real money than the items were worth. If employees do not notice quickly, the same group can move to another store and do it again.
But in this case, the Publix employees noticed, deputies responded, and the second alleged attempt was cut short.
There is something interesting about how ordinary this crime appears on the surface. A Caesar wrap, popcorn chicken, chips, and a $100 bill do not seem dramatic. But that small transaction opened the door to a much larger investigation and the recovery of thousands of dollars in fake cash.
It is also a reminder that many crimes are stopped not by some major breakthrough, but by someone paying attention at the right moment.
Gibson reported that the sheriff’s office is now asking businesses to keep watching closely and to report suspicious bills right away. In a case like this, that advice is not just routine. It is exactly what helped deputies move fast enough to make four arrests.
Gary’s love for adventure and preparedness stems from his background as a former Army medic. Having served in remote locations around the world, he knows the importance of being ready for any situation, whether in the wilderness or urban environments. Gary’s practical medical expertise blends with his passion for outdoor survival, making him an expert in both emergency medical care and rugged, off-the-grid living. He writes to equip readers with the skills needed to stay safe and resilient in any scenario.
