WAREHAM – Wareham Police are charging three men with possessing more than $2,000 in counterfeit money.
The investigation began on Tuesday as officers were looking into reports of counterfeit currency
being passed at various locations in the Wareham Crossing and Cranberry Plaza shopping complexes.
During surveillance of the Wareham Crossing shopping complex in West Wareham, detectives noticed
the vehicle allegedly used by the three suspected individuals and monitored their actions, which included entering and exiting several stores in the complex, then leaving the area and arriving at the Cranberry Plaza in East Wareham, where the same activity was observed.
It was later learned that several purchases were made with counterfeit $20 bills at various stores in Wareham Crossing. At the Cranberry Plaza, detectives followed a suspect, later identified as 46 year old Boston resident William Shields, into Stop & Shop and confronted him as a counterfeit $20 bill was allegedly being passed to a store employee.
At the time of his arrest, Shields allegedly possessed five additional counterfeit $20 bills.
As detectives were conducting the arrest at Stop & Shop, officers and detectives confronted two
additional suspects who were waiting inside a vehicle parked in the lot. A search of the vehicle led to
the discovery of envelopes containing counterfeit $20 bills, along with other $20 bills inside the vehicle
totaling $2,380 in counterfeit currency.
Also found in the vehicle were several store bags from various retail outlets in Wareham Crossing and the Cranberry Plaza.
Detectives are continuing the investigation of this matter, with regard to purchases made with the counterfeit currency.
The following individuals were placed under arrest and charged with Possession of Over 10
Counterfeit Notes and Conspiracy:
1. William Shields, age 46, of 20 Carmody Ct. Apt. 845, Boston, MA
(Also charged with 3 counts of Uttering a Counterfeit Note)
2. Jashawn Tate, age 46, of 153 Ingleside Ave. Apt. #3, Worcester, MA
(Vehicle occupant – Also in possession of $551 cash)
3. Rudell Tate, age 33, of 6 Alvan Terrace Apt. #1, Dorchester, MA
(Vehicle occupant)
