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Fast-Food Counterfeiters Arrested, Largo Police Say

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By BETH GADDIS | TBO.com

Published: September 24, 2007

LARGO – Two men are accused of passing counterfeit money at several Pinellas County fast-food restaurants.

Largo police officers arrested Kenneth Rankin, 20, and Justin Gustafson, 21, about 2:30 a.m. today after receiving tips from employees at Checkers and McDonald's restaurants on East Bay Drive.

Kenneth Rankin

Justin Gustafson

Officers say they found 85 counterfeit $20 bills under the passenger dash behind the glove compartment. They say they also seized counterfeiting equipment from Rankin's home.

Both men are charged with counterfeiting. Gustafson also faces a charge of possession of marijuana.

Original press release from the Largo PD:

We did not release this early this morning so that we could give staff time to prepare for media inquiries. Any media member who desires more information my contact Investigative Sergeant Jon Trebino at 587-6728

Kenneth Rankin and Justin Gustafson learned that you do not counterfeit $20 bills and then utter them at every fast food restaurant in a west bound direction on East Bay Dr in a sequential and orderly fashion.

Officers responded to complaints of counterfeits being uttered at the drive-thru of Checkers and McDonalds on East Bay Dr. Employees report that suspects made small orders and paid with $20 bills which were later determined to be counterfeit. Suspect vehicle is spotted a short time later near McDonalds on Missouri. Upon contact it is noted the three occupants all have different soft drink cups from fast food restaurants and a half dozen assorted restaurant to-go order bags containing the remnants of small orders. Officers locate (85) counterfeit $20 bills

($1,700.00) stuffed under the passenger dash behind the vehicle glove compartment. Counterfeiting equipment is seized from Rankin's St.

Petersburg home. It is expected that multiple agencies will have related follow up investigations.

Primary Officers - W. Caseber/M. Gonzalez Primary Det - P. Amodeo

Arrested:

Kenneth Rankin w/m dob 12-26-86

(1) Ct Counterfeiting

(1) Ct Possession of 10 or more counterfeit bills

(4) Ct Uttering Counterfeit Bill

(1) Citation - Expired tag

http://www.pcsoweb.com/inmate/SubjectResults.aspx?...

Justin Gustafson w/m dob 1-4-86

(1) Ct Counterfeiting

(1) Ct Possession of 10 or more counterfeit bills

(4) Ct Uttering Counterfeit Bill

(1) Ct Possession Misd Marijuana

(1) Warrant - contempt

http://www.pcsoweb.com/inmate/SubjectResults.aspx?...

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