Arrests made in TI counterfeit ring

On Friday, October 03, 2008, at approximately 1:39 am,Treasure Island Police Sergeant Jared Swetnich stopped a vehicle on Gulf Blvd. for a minor traffic offense.  Sergeant Swetnich recognized the occupants as wanted in connection to a local counterfeit money scheme as provided by a previously issued alert from Detective Kathi Lovelace of TIPD.  As a result of the traffic stop, Treasure Island officers arrested three people in connection to this counterfeit ring.  Arrested were 38 year old Samuel Hubert of Seminole, 18 year old Brittany Tobey of Largo and 18 year old Erica Bueno of Seminole. 

Subsequent to the arrests, officers responded to a local motel in Treasure Island where counterfeit money and counterfeiting equipment were seized.

The Treasure Island Police Department has investigated seven (7) incidents of fraud involving counterfeit money.  These arrests appear to be connected to six (6) of these cases.  The seventh case may be unrelated.  Additional charges may be pending.

Detective Lovelace has requested that anyone with information on the arrested persons or anyone who may be victims of the same scheme are encouraged to contact the Treasure Island Police Department at (727) 547-4595.

Due to this continuing investigation, additional information is not available at this time.