Officers find equipment used to make thousands in counterfeit money inside Kerrville motel
KERRVILLE, Texas- Police are investigating three suspects after officers found equipment used to make counterfeit money inside two motel rooms.
Officers with the Kerrville Police Department were called out to McCoy's Building Supplies on Sidney Baker Street on January 27 at around 5:57 p.m. The victim told police that two people came into the store and made a purchase with counterfeit money. After this, the suspects reportedly walked across the street to a Motel 6.
Police went to the motel and found the suspects within two rooms. It was here that officers found 54-year-old Edward Cantu, 41-year-old Michelle Leija and 40-year-old Mario Clark. Officers also found a 60-year-old woman and a 16-year-old woman, but they were not charged.
Cantu reportedly had several active warrants out of Bexar County, including Forgery, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Theft of Property. Officers said Leija also had two warrants out of Bexar County for theft.
The Criminal Investigations Unit and the Kerr County Sheriff's Office found several pieces of equipment inside the rooms used to make counterfeit bills. Investigators found the suspects had allegedly been making the counterfeit money and passing the bills through San Antonio, Boerne and Kerrville. As much as $20,000 had been passed along, according to investigators.
The United States Secret Service San Antonio Field Office was contacted to investigate the case further. In addition, arrest warrants were issued on February 2 for the suspects.
Clark was issued arrest warrants for Forgery and Engaging in Organized Crime with bonds totaling $105,000.00. Arrest warrants were issued for Leija included Forgery and Engaging in Organized Crime with bonds totaling $80,000.00. Officers said Cantu's charges will be filed at large because of medical reasons.
Mario Clark and Michelle Leija remain in custody at the Kerr County Jail.
