38-year-old Kevin Pierce of Columbia arrested after passing counterfeit money at Hilton Head Island restaurant.
Late last night, employees of a Hilton Head Island restaurant near Greenwood Drive contacted the Sheriff's Office, after a male subject attempted to pass counterfeit money at their establishment. It was reported that the unknown subject presented a $50 bill to pay for his tab, but alert employees realized the currency was fake and refused to accept the bill. Employees added that this was the same male subject, who a few days prior—on January 12— attempted to pay with counterfeit money at their restaurant.
When deputies arrived at the restaurant, they were flagged down by employees, who pointed to a vehicle leaving the parking lot and advised that it was being driven by the subject. Deputies caught up to the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on Pope Avenue near Office Park Road. Deputies made contact with the driver, 38-year-old Kevin Pierce of Columbia, and the passenger and, after a license check was conducted on Pierce, it was determined that he was driving under suspension. In addition, inside the vehicle, deputies observed open alcoholic beverages. Pierce was placed under arrest for driving under suspension and having open containers of alcohol.
Shortly after his arrest, Kevin Pierce was interviewed regarding both incidents at the Hilton Head Island restaurant. The passenger of his vehicle was also interviewed, which led to the recovery of the counterfeit money that Pierce had been trying to pass at the restaurant. In total, nearly $500 in counterfeit bills—various denominations—was recovered.
As a result of the interviews and the recovery of the counterfeit money, Kevin Pierce was charged with two counts of forgery for his attempts to pass counterfeit bills at the Hilton Head Island restaurant on January 12 and January 15. Pierce was then transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center and incarcerated. As of the time of this advisory, Pierce had yet to post the $12,972.50 bond set for his charges and remained incarcerated.
Attached is a booking photograph of Kevin Pierce. If any other area restaurants or retail merchants have had similar incidents with Pierce, please call Corporal Andrew Calore at 843-255-3411 or CrimeStoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111 if wishing to remain anonymous and for possible reward.
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Address/Location
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
2001 Duke St
Beaufort, SC 29902
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 843-255-3200