Los Angeles: On July 20, 2012, the Los
Angeles Police Department, Topanga Organized Retail Crimes Unit
investigators in partnership with the United States Secret Service, San
Bernardino County Sheriff’s and the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department,
concluded a six month long investigation of an individual counterfeiting
United States Currency known to insiders as “Operation Bear Trap.”
The investigation was the result of a tip to authorities by several local retail stores located in the San Fernando Valley.
LAPD’s
Topanga Organized Retail Crimes Unit investigators along with the
United States Secret Service concluded an investigation which started in
the Topanga Area and led them into several different counties. 32
year-old Paul Hernandez, was arrested outside of a ‘Bass Pro Shop’ in
the city of Rancho Cucamonga. The United States Secret Service and the
San Bernardino County Sheriffs served a search warrant at Hernandez’s
residence in the City of Big Bear, California. Hernandez is suspected of
passing more than $300,000 dollars in counterfeit bills.
The
search warrant served at Hernandez’s Big Bear home was positive for
investigators and revealed that he was creating authentic looking copies
of $100 bills.
The case against Hernandez will be filed in the
Superior Court in San Bernardino County and Hernandez will be arraigned
on felony charges July, 24 2012 at 7:00 a.m. in Rancho Cucamonga. There
is currently an ongoing state and federal investigation for
counterfeiting.
Anyone with information about this crime is
urged to call LAPD’s Topanga Area at 818 756-4800. During non-business
hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7
(877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact
Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most
keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the
letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on
"webtips" and follow the prompts.
