By Susan A. Neufeld
Big Bear Lake, CA – On Saturday, April 13, 2019, at approximately 2:43 pm, Big Bear Sheriff’s deputies received several reports of two females who made multiple purchases using counterfeit $100 bills at several businesses in the Big Bear area.
The two females were driving a black GMC Denali, California license plate 7FQG384. A victim reported seeing the vehicle in the Big Bear Lake Walgreen’s parking lot. Deputies located the vehicle occupied by two females. The females were identified as Amanda Gray, age 30, and Amanda Piercy, age 32, both residents of Riverside County. Gray and Piercy matched the suspects seen on video surveillance passing counterfeit $100 dollar bills. Both Gray and Piercy are suspected of entering multiple businesses in the Big Bear area, between April 11th and April 13th, making small item purchases, and paying with counterfeit $100 dollar bills.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies located thousands of dollars in counterfeit $100 dollar bills, several receipts which indicated Piercy and Gray had made several purchases using counterfeit $100 dollar bills. A handgun was also located behind the driver’s seat. A used methamphetamine pipe and a usable amount of suspected methamphetamine was located inside a purse belonging to Piercy. Deputies determined that Amanda Piercy was also convicted felon.
Investigators believe there are still several businesses in the Big Bear area who have been victimized and have yet to report the crime.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation, or if, you believe you may be a victim of this crime, please contact Big Bear Sheriff’s Station at 909-866-0100. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the website at www.wetip.com