COURTLAND
The Southampton County Sheriff’s Office is still seeking information on the whereabouts of a man accused of using counterfeit bills at a local Food Lion, and has released a photo of the suspect from the store’s surveillance cameras.

On Nov. 4, at approximately 11:53 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of counterfeit bills from the Food Lion in the 28000 block of Southampton Parkway. After speaking to management and reviewing surveillance video of the incident, investigating deputies determined the suspected transaction occurred on Nov. 3 at approximately 8:51 p.m. when a black male paid cash for one gift card.

According to Chief Deputy Maj. Gene Drewery, several of the bills have the same serial number, which is what led store management and deputies to suspect counterfeiting.

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.

According to the investigating deputies, the camera shows the suspect entering the store and immediately going to the gift card area, then getting behind an older black male who purchases cigarettes. The suspect then presents the gift card and offers payment. The cashier leaves the register to speak with a manager in reference to overriding the system for a larger purchase. Then the cashier returns to the register and completes the transaction after accepting the money.

No other employees witnessed the transaction between the cashier and the suspect. The suspect is described as a black male in his 20s or 30s wearing a black hat, 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, appearing muscular in the arms, approximately 6-foot or 6-foot-5, weighing approximately 200 to 220 pounds.

Anyone with information on the suspect is advised to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 653-2100 or the Crime Line at 653-2900.