Counterfeit Bills leads to Arrest in Ocean Township

An investigation continues into the arrest a male and female who allegedly paid for items at a Wegman's Supermarket in Ocean Township with counterfeit $100 bills. Police say 28-year-old Johanna Rossi Joo Placensia of New Brunswick and 30-year-old Israel Nicolas Moscoso Castaneda of Perth Amboy were arrested Saturday afternoon when store security notified them about their activities.

Police say during the arrest, an additional counterfeit one hundred dollar bill was found in Placensia's wallet. The 1999 Chrysler the two were operating was also seized.

The arrest of the pair is now part of an on-going investigation with the U.S. Secret Service into the passing of fake bills at a Manalapan Wegman's as well. Castenada was found to have several outstanding warrants for his arrest.

Both Pacensia and Castenada were charged with one count of forgery and one count of theft by deception. Bail was set $10,000 real dollars with no ten percent option.

Placensia was released on a complaint summons pending a court hearing. Castaneda is in the Monmouth County Correctional Institute pending a court hearing.