Ross Police Nab Man Accused of Passing Phony Money at Ross Park Mall

have charged a Pittsburgh man with using fake $100 bills to buy merchandise inside  

Bryan Lamar Porter Jr., 18, is charged with a felony count of forgery and two misdemeanor counts of theft. He also is charged with possessing an instrument of crime.

“This wasn't Monopoly money or some low-end quality. It was very high end, a high quality that the Secret Service is interested in,” Ross Township Police Sgt. Ben Dripps told

Police say Porter used five fake $100 bills on July 20 to buy a belt at the Louis Vuitton store inside the mall and then tried to return another item. 

The cashier suspected something wasn’t quite right and gave Porter the same fake money back for his return, police said.

“It was apparent to her that he was well aware it was counterfeit, specifically, he even said, 'Are you going to give me that money back?’” Dripps told WTAE.

Police said Porter brought more than $1,700 in counterfeit cash with him.

A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 8 before Magisterial District Judge Richard G. Opiela.

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