COURTLAND
The Southampton County Sheriff’s Office received word of counterfeit bills being passed at the Food Lion on Southampton Parkway. Maj. Gene Drewery, spokesman, said the department got the complaint at approximately 11:53 a.m. on Friday.

“Investigating deputies speaking to the management were available to determine from surveillance video the transaction that occurred on Thursday at approximately 8:51 p.m, it was clear that a black male paid with cash for one gift card. The cameras show the suspect entering the store at approximately 8:48 p.m. and exiting the store after making the purchase at 8:51 p.m. The only item bought was the gift card.

“The camera shows the suspect entering the store and immediately going to the gift card part of the store. The suspect then gets in line behind an older black male who purchases cigarettes. The suspect then presents the gift card and offers payment. The camera shows the cashier leave the register and speak with a manager in reference to overriding the system for a larger purchase. The camera then shows the cashier return to the register and complete the transaction after accepting the money. No other employees witnessed the transaction between the cashier and the suspect.”

Drewery added that the suspect is described as follows: a black male in his 20s or 30s, wearing a black hat, an all-black T-shirt, long black ADIDAS jogging-type pants with white stripes, white socks, black Nike tennis shoes with a white Nike symbol, no glasses, some facial hair (maybe a close cut beard) medium build, appears muscular in the arms approximately 6’  to 6’ 5”, weight approximately 200 to 220 pounds

Contact the Sheriff’s Office at 653-2100 or the Crime Line at 653-2900.