NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT) — Authorities in New Bethlehem say a Mayport man and a New Bethlehem woman have been charged in connection with attempts to use “movie money” as genuine currency in New Bethlehem, Clarion County.
According to court documents, Charles Eugene Lucas, 30, of Mayport, and Lauren Brooke Uncapher, 21, of New Bethlehem, have each been charged with one count of Theft by Deception-False Impression, Misdemeanor 2, stemming from incidents that occurred on January 21, 2015, in New Bethlehem.
Lucas also faces additional charges in connection with two alleged thefts from vehicles that occurred on the same day.
According to a criminal complaint filed at District Court 18-3-04, the New Bethlehem Police Department received a call on January 21, 2015, from the First United National Bank (FUN Bank) alerting them of an incident involving fake money.
A female actor, later identified as Uncapher, allegedly went into the bank and handed the teller a $100 bill. Uncapher allegedly asked the teller to change the bill out into smaller bills. The teller advised Uncapher that the bill was fake.
According to the criminal complaint, Uncapher allegedly told the teller she needed the bill back, but the teller informed her that she had to keep it at the bank. Uncapher then allegedly left the bank on foot.
Police say the $100 bill in question looked real, but had “FOR MOTION PICTURE USE ONLY” printed on the front and back.
The complaint states that around 6:05 p.m. on January 23, 2015, Uncapher came into the New Bethlehem Police Department and told Sargent Wright that she heard he was looking for her. Uncapher was read her Miranda Rights and she voluntarily signed it.
Uncapher stated to police that she had been hanging out with Lucas and a known friend when Lucas asked her to get a pizza. Uncapher said that she first went to Rocky’s Pizza in New Bethlehem, but they did not have change for a $100 bill, according to the complaint.
Uncapher allegedly said she then went to Desperado’s and successfully exchanged the bill. While Uncapher was talking to another patron, the bartender allegedly told her that the bill she had exchanged did not feel right and asked for the bar’s money back. Uncapher then went to FUN Bank in an attempt to exchange the bill, the complaint indicates.
Uncapher is scheduled to appear before District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller on February 18, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. for a preliminary arraignment.
On the same date, New Bethlehem Police were alerted to another incident involving fake money at Key Beverage in New Bethlehem.
According to the criminal complaint, Lucas allegedly attempted to use fraudulent $100 bills to purchase a case of Bud Light beer costing $25.50.
In an interview with a Key Beverage employee, police determined that Lucas went into Key Beverage between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on January 21, 2015. Lucas allegedly handed the employee a $100 bill in exchange for a case of beer. The employee checked the bill with a counterfeit marker and it came up black. Lucas allegedly handed the employee a different $100 bill, but upon checking it with the counterfeit marker, turned black and was refused as well, the complaint states.
Lucas later returned to Key Beverage with a known friend. Lucas’ friend paid for the beer with a $20 bill and a $5 bill that were both legal currency, according to the criminal complaint.
When questioned by police in reference to the fraudulent money, Lucas’ friend relayed that he was not with Lucas when he attempted to use the fake money, but that he was aware that Lucas had the fake bills. The friend then provided police with a photograph of several $100 bills that he had taken at Lucas’ residence, the complaint states.
Additional Charges Filed Against Lucas
According to a criminal complaint, Lucas and a friend were allegedly walking west on Hunters Way in the early evening of January 21 when Lucas got into a vehicle by smashing out the front window of the front passenger side. Lucas allegedly took a wallet that was sitting on the front seat.
The male victim stated that the wallet was the only thing missing from his vehicle, which contained $50.00 in cash, his driver’s license, and other documentation regarding college schooling.
Another criminal complaint states that police were alerted to another theft from a motor vehicle involving Lucas.
Police received a call on the morning of January 22, 2015, regarding the theft of prescription medications taken from a vehicle.
The male victim told police that he had picked up the medications at Rite Aid in New Bethlehem and then went to work at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, also in New Bethlehem. The victim told police that he placed the bag of medication in his glove box and left his vehicle unlocked.
After interviewing another employee at the Eagles, police determined that two male individuals, fitting the description of Lucas and his friend, had been heard talking in the area of the victim’s car.
The employee told police that he heard the individuals say, “You goin’ in?” and heard a car door shut.
Lucas’ friend allegedly told police that Lucas entered the victim’s vehicle that was parked behind the Eagles and unlawfully took the bag containing three prescription medications, 2 bottles of Ranitidine, (50 — 150 mg. capsules); Amlodipine Besylate (30 — 5 mg.); and Atorvastatine (30 — 10 mg.).
Lucas faces the following charges:
– 1 count of Theft by Unlawful Taking — Movable Property, Misdemeanor 2
– 1 count of Theft by Unlawful Taking — Movable Property, Misdemeanor 3
– 2 counts of Criminal Mischief — Damage Property, Summary
– 1 count of Theft from a Motor Vehicle, Misdemeanor 2
– 1 count of Theft from a Motor Vehicle, Misdemeanor 3
A preliminary arraignment for Lucas has been scheduled for February 17 at 11:15 a.m. before District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller.
