A local man was arrested early Saturday after allegedly passing counterfeit money at a fast-food restaurant.
Derrick Craig Thomas, 45, who lists an address of 220 Jefferson St., was taken into custody at McDonald's, 200 E. Grand, around 2 a.m. and charged with a felony count of first-degree forgery, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Thomas, who also had a parole hold on him, was later released on $5,000 bond and is set to appear Sept. 23 in Garland County District Court.
According to reports, Hot Springs police Officer Hammons was dispatched to the restaurant around 1:30 a.m. regarding someone paying with a counterfeit $10 bill and when he arrived he noted a man, later identified as Thomas, standing near the front door who immediately walked into the bathroom.
Employees pointed Thomas out as the one they had called about so Hammons walked toward the bathroom as the suspect emerged a moment later. Hammons checked his ID and then checked the trash in the bathroom.
He allegedly found a wadded up ball of cash in the bottom of the trash can which appeared to be counterfeit, approximately six $20 bills and one $10 bill. The officer collected those and the $10 bill that had been given at the counter as evidence.
HSPD detective Stracener later interviewed Thomas at the department and he reportedly admitted to having all the bills in his possession earlier.
He said he was given the money as payment when he sold a television and Xbox to an unknown man on Thursday.
Thomas, who was previously convicted of a felony count of commercial burglary in 2000 in Garland County, was previously arrested in August 2010 on a charge of theft by receiving more than $2,500 when he was allegedly caught driving a stolen vehicle.
Local on 09/16/2014