Deputies seek tips on bill swapping scam suspect

A man allegedly stole about $365 from two Lyon Township businesses earlier this month after he apparently confused the cashiers in a bill changing scam that made money disappear into his pocket.

He got away with about $340 from Tractor Supply Co. on Lyon Center Drive near Milford Road on Aug. 12, according to a report filed with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Lyon substation. An employee at the nearby Subway reported a similar incident the same day She said the man got about $25 in a similar swindle.

The man was described as a thin build, dark-complected black man standing 6 foot to 6-foot-3 and likely in his 40s or 50s.

The Tractor Supply employee said the man pretended to buy a $3 or $4 item, though the employee couldn’t remember what he was buying. She said the man complimented her about how well she did her job during the transaction, and gave her a $50 bill for his purchase.

The employee told sheriff’s deputies the suspect was acting strangely during the checkout process, and when she gave the man his change he appeared surprised and asked for the $50 bill back so that he could pay with a $5 bill instead. He then apparently pulled out a handful of cash from his pocket and asked for a $100 bill for several $20 bills.

When she said she didn’t have a $100 bill, he began asking to exchange for different denomination bills, the report continued. He kept swapping out bigger bills for smaller ones, and smaller ones for bigger ones.

Sheriff’s deputies fielded a similar report across the street at Subway. A man, who fit the description of the suspect in the Tractor Supply incident, came into the eatery about 5:10 p.m. The employee said the man approached the cash register and tried to buy two bags of chips, totaling about $2. He gave her a $50 bill.

The cashier said he kept asking for different denominations for different bills and she felt he was trying to make her confused. She said at one point he also tried to reach over the counter and into the cash register drawer when it was open. He reportedly questioned her about the restaurant safe and cash register.

After he left, the employee checked her cash register drawer and said it was $25.40 short.

Investigators said anyone with information on either case is asked to call the substation at 248-437-0616.

dandreassi@hometownlife.com | 734-432-5974 | Twitter: @HeraldReporter