Woman accused of having counterfeit bills broken at yard sales

Pueblo Police say Derie Fernandez had $500 in counterfeit bills on her when she was arrested Sunday.

Police were called to the 1600 block of Comanche Rd. to investigate after a person hosting a yard sale reported receiving fake money.

Officers tracked down the suspect, identified as Fernandez. They say the 36-year-old would go to yard sales and ask unsuspecting sellers to break the large, fake bills.

Fernandez faces numerous charges, including Forgery (possession), two additional counts of Forgery (use), Criminal Possession of an Identification Document (two counts), Criminal Possession of a Financial Device and Possession of a Schedule II Substance (Meth).

Police say Fernandez also had two warrants. One for armed robbery and the other for failure to comply – 3rd degree assault.

The Pueblo Police Department says that you should invest in a counterfeit money detector pen if you plan to host a yard sale.