Foley Police Department officers and detectives were alerted on Thursday, Feb. 8, of two individuals involved in passing counterfeit currency at stores within the Tanger Mall.

The subsequent investigation unveiled that Michael Anthony Washington, 41, and Derick Melendez Ned, 47, both hailing from Tampa, Florida, had orchestrated a counterfeit currency scheme across multiple stores. The duo's modus operandi involved purchasing low-value items and tendering counterfeit $100 bills, receiving genuine currency as change. Upon apprehension, authorities discovered an additional 40 counterfeit $100 bills in their possession, alongside merchandise from other establishments not within Foley.

Washington and Ned face charges including one count each of Organized Retail Theft and three counts each of Possession of a Forged Instrument, all classified as felonies. Additionally, Washington faces a misdemeanor charge of Tampering with Physical Evidence.

The case remains under investigation, with the possibility of additional charges pending.

Retailers suspecting their stores may have fallen victim to this counterfeiting scheme are urged to contact their local law enforcement agency.