Arrest made in Cedar Rapids fake currency case

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids police have made an arrest in a counterfeit bill case.

Public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said police took a report Wednesday morning of a fake $100 bill passed at the Kum & Go on Mount Vernon Road SE. Officers were able to get a description of both the suspect and the vehicle he was driving.

Later on Wednesday, officers made a traffic stop at 15th Street and Bever Avenue SE. One of the people in the vehicle matched the description of the suspect.

Based on their investigation, 42-year-old Mendel Holmes was arrested and faces one count of forgery, a Class D felony.

Police warned this week that they have seen an increase in fake $100 bills passed in both Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, with Cedar Rapids collecting approximately $3,000 in fake cash in the last week.