4 men charged in fake cash scheme in Lebanon, York and other counties
Four New York men have been charged in an alleged scheme involving merchandise returns for purchases made with fake cash at stores in 16 counties, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. Fitzroy James, Fabian Coke, Gabriel Young and Christopher Nicholas have been charged with felony counts of organized retail theft, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, conspiracy, and related offenses. The group profited at least $12,436 from returns, according to officials. In Pennsylvania, they frequented stores in Lebanon, Dauphin, York, Allegheny, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Centre, Chester, Columbia, Cumberland, Delaware, Lancaster, Monroe, Montgomery and Northampton counties “This out-of-state band of thieves knowingly passed fake bills with a plan to return items for real cash — that is organized retail theft, pure and simple,” AG Dave Sunday said in a statement. “We collaborated with federal, state and local partners to track this criminal activity and filed charges that will end this conduct.” Officials said the men targeted stores that included Kohl’s, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s and other retailers for the alleged thefts. The individuals allegedly bought or attempted to buy more than $20,000 worth of merchandise with fake cash. Officials said this group is suspected in similar crimes in several other
