Canberra man charged after alleged thefts, counterfeit cash use

A man in the nation’s capital will face court after allegedly being caught with $100 notes of counterfeit cash he used on a shopping spree.

A man has been charged with three counts of theft and possession of counterfeit money.

A 28-year-old Gowrie man will face court over a series of alleged thefts and the use of counterfeit currency in the nation’s capital.

ACT Policing allege the man first targeted a sunglass store on Monday when he entered the business around 9.20am.

The man allegedly stole a pair of Versace sunglasses.

Store staff told police they saw the man in possession of a knife at the time of the incident.

Police attended the store shortly after the alleged theft and reviewed CCTV footage of the incident later that day.

Less than 24 hours later, on Tuesday around 12.30pm, police were contacted — this time by security officers who reported the same man had been attending several nearby retailers.

The man was allegedly using counterfeit $100 notes to pay for goods.

He was later spotted entering a sportswear store, where he allegedly stole multiple items of clothing.

Police located him shortly afterwards, allegedly hiding in a nearby alleyway.

A search of the man uncovered a duffel bag filled with clothing, a pair of Versace sunglasses matching those reported stolen on Monday, and several counterfeit bank notes.

At the time of his arrest, the man was subject to bail conditions.

He has been charged with three counts of theft, possession of counterfeit money, and breach of bail.

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Originally published as Canberra man charged after alleged thefts, counterfeit cash use