Counterfeit bills are circulating

DEXTER -- Stoddard County law enforcement officials are investigating the source of counterfeit bills circulating in the area.

The first report of fake bills in Dexter came from the One Mile Road branch of First Midwest Bank.

Since then, five Dexter businesses have turned over phony bills in denominations of $10, $20 and $50, according to Detective Lt. Trevor Pulley of the Dexter Police Department.

The bills have shown up at businesses in Essex, as well.

Police said the bills appear to be generated from the same source and that they do not believe multiple manufacturers are involved.