Trail of bogus Benjamins leads to suspect in Toms River

Counterfeit hundred-dollar bills showing up in shore businesses lead Toms River and Wall Township police to a suspect from Ewing.

Andre Alston, 24, was booked on three counts of forgery Monday by Toms River Detective Robert O'Neill, based on incidents at three local stores on August 5.

Police allege that Alston spent the bad bills at Home Depot, Tony's Pasta House and the Wawa on Route 37 at Oak Ridge Parkway.

Wall Township PD Detective Lisewski filed similar charges, police said. Alston was transferred to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold.

Authorities said that Alston has ties to Ewing, and to Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Criminal charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.