(October 1, 2008)

BEEVILLE--Beeville Police are warning businesses about some bogus money that's turned up around town. Investigators said it may involve a counterfeit ring stretching from the Coastal Bend to San Antonio.

Investigators said they're concerned these criminals are starting a new trend. They're not passing around counterfeit big bills instead it's fake small bills.

Workers at Elder's Meat Market in Beeville are on alert. They said a counterfeit $10 bill was passed at their store. For Edward Guerrero, it's disappointing.

"We don't know who could have given this bill," said Guerrero. "It is something that even though it was a $10 bill. A ten and another ten here and there can add up."

Police said over the last couple of weeks, six counterfeit bills have been passed in Beeville at four different businesses, including Pizza Hut and Stripes convenience store.

They said the funny money doesn't look normal. It's believed the criminals are handing out these bills around South Texas.

"They're traveling from Corpus to Beeville and going as far as San Antonio and exchanging these $5, $10 and now $20 just to get the real money," said Chief Joe Trevino of the Beeville Police Department. 

So officers are warning businesses around Beeville about the funny money. They're asking workers to check all bills, not just the big ones.

"The first thing they're going to feel is the texture of the paper and then the color and bring it up to the light and they'll be able to tell if it's suspicious," Chief Trevino said. 

That's what workers at Elder's Meat Market are doing now, so they won't be victimized again.

"We're just trying to figure out a way to protect the store and protect the owners," Guerrero said.

If you see any counterfeit money, you're asked to call the Beeville Police Department at 361-358-8100. 

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com