INDIANA COUNTY, Pa. – Troopers are continuing to investigate the passing or attempted passing of counterfeit currency in Indiana County and now believe the suspects may have been involved in similar activity in Jefferson County.
According to Indiana-based State Police, troopers were dispatched to investigate the passing or attempting passing of counterfeit US $100 bills at several businesses in White Township, Indiana County, on the afternoon of March 3, 2024.
Those businesses include the following: Advance Auto Parts (2085 Oakland Avenue), Aroma Joe’s (2057 Oakland Avenue), AutoZone (2044 Oakland Avenue), Bath & Body Works (2334 Oakland Avenue), Dunham’s Sports (2334 Oakland Avenue), Harbor Freight Tools (2334 Oakland Avenue), Kohl’s (2334 Oakland Avenue), and Staples (3100 Oakland Avenue).
While responding to reports from local businesses and canvassing the area for the suspects, troopers developed information and subsequently located and apprehended three adult male suspects at various locations in White Township.
A fourth suspect, who has not been apprehended, is described as a white, Hispanic male believed to be approximately 19-20 years of age with medium-length dark hair. He was observed on surveillance video wearing glasses, a gray (previously thought to be blue) Calvin Klein sweatshirt and sweatpants, and dark, high-top style tennis shoes.
Two of the suspects that were apprehended were identified as Brian Stalin Castro-Ortega, 22, of Flushing, NY and Jordan Alexan Alvarado-Garrido, 21, with an unknown hometown.
The third suspect that was apprehended has not yet been identified. He is considered a “John Doe” and is described as an adult, white, Hispanic male and is believed to be in his early 20s.
Castro-Ortega was charged with misdemeanor counts of theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking or disposition, and false identification to law enforcement authorities and two summary counts of retail theft.
He is accused of using a counterfeit US $100 bill to purchase merchandise at Harbor Freight Tools and Bath & Body Works. As a result, he received a total of $148.42 as change for the transactions in addition to the stolen merchandise.
Alvarado-Garrido was charged with misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to theft by deception, conspiracy to theft by unlawful taking or disposition, and three summary counts of conspiracy to retail theft.
“John Doe” was charged with misdemeanor counts of theft by deception and theft by unlawful taking or disposition and two summary counts of retail theft.
He is accused of using a counterfeit US $100 bill to purchase merchandise at Dunham’s Sports and Staples. As a result, he received a total of $165.47 as change for the transactions in addition to the stolen merchandise.
Castro-Ortega, Alvarado-Garrido, and “John Doe” were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Sottile III on March 4.
Castro-Ortega and Alvarado-Garrido were each remanded to the Indiana County Jail in lieu of $250,000 monetary bail.
Bail was denied for “John Doe,” who was also remanded to the Indiana County Jail.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled for March 14 at 10:30 a.m.
As the investigation has continued, troopers now believe that the suspects may have been involved in recent similar activity in the Punxsutawney area of Jefferson County, PA.
Businesses that recently fell victim to the passing of counterfeit US $100 bills are asked to contact their local Pennsylvania State Police station.
Additionally, in an effort to identify the two unidentified males and further the investigation, photographs of the involved males are also being released.
Anyone with information is asked to immediately contact Troop A, Indiana at 724-357-1960.
