Johnston Police Charge Mass. Man with Passing Fake $20 Bill

A Massachusetts resident faces one felony count of passing counterfeit bills after arrested him on July 23.

Dino A. Santilli Jr., 20, of 218 Oak Grove Ave., Fall River, MA, signed a waiver of extradition and is awating a Sept. 24 court hearing on the charge, according to online court records.

Johnston Police Ptlm. Joseph McGinn reported on July 15 that he went to the Petroil gas station at 1401 Plainfield Pike and spoke with a clerk there, who said a male, later identified as Santilli, had entered the store at about 12:30 pm and bought a box of Newport cigarettes.

The clerk said that when the man handed her a $20 bill, "she immediately recognized that the texture and appearance of the bill [were] unusual," McGinn wrote.

After reviewing the store's surveillance camera footage, officers identified Santilli as the suspect and issued an arrest warrant.

Ptlm. Stephen Altomari reported on July 23 that Santilli surrendered himself at police headquarters.

Officers presented Santilli for arraignment before Justice of the Peace John McCaffrey, who ordered him released on $10,000 personal recognizance until the next court hearing.