Man buys Girl Scout cookies with fake $100 bill, takes change

SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. -- South Pasadena police are searching Friday for a man who bought Girl Scout cookies with a fake $100 bill and left with the change.

The man, who is about 18 years old, entered the Vons market in the 1100 block of Fair Oaks Avenue at about 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and tried to buy detergent with a counterfeit $100 bill. The employee recognized the counterfeit and turned him away.

Before leaving, however, the suspect stopped at a Girl Scout table outside the market and bought three boxes of cookies with the same bill. He took the change and left with the cookies.

He "left with $85 in change of real money and basically ripped off the Girl Scouts," Sgt. Robert Bartl said.

It wasn't until later that a Girl Scout leader discovered the fake bill. Police have taken the phony money as evidence.

"How unfortunate that is and to think someone would stoop that low. He did and so it would be nice for the public to take a look at him," Bartl said.

Police say Vons contacted authorities after store employees learned the Girl Scouts troop had been scammed. Vons spokesperson Carlos Illingworth released the following statement Friday afternoon, pledging a $1,000 donation to the Girl Scouts:

"As proud supporters of the Girl Scouts, we were disappointed to learn that someone would take advantage of these girls that are the future leaders of our community. We will be making a $1,000 donation to help the girls recoup the funds that they lost and support the important work of the Girl Scouts across greater Los Angeles."

Anyone with information is asked to call South Pasadena police at (626) 403-7280.