A sharp-eyed Back Bay bartender helped nab two Rhode Island men who tried to pay their tab with counterfeit $100 bills.
The Suffolk Country District Attorney’s office says Felix Perez and Dana Leyland were arraigned Tuesday on charges of possessing and using counterfeit currency. Leyland is also accused of providing a false name to police.
Prosecutors say a bartender at the Charlesmark Hotel on Boylston Street called police Monday night, saying three men had tried to pay with what he believed were phony $100 bills.
The bartender followed Leyland and Perez across the street to another bar, Solas, where he told Boston Police officers about his suspicions. The third man got away.
“The officer asked to speak with the men outside, only to be joined moments later by the Solas bartender, who stated that two patrons had just turned in seven $100 bills found in the immediate vicinity of where the defendants had been,” a statement from the Suffolk DA said. “Those bills are also believed to be counterfeit. … Another $100 bill, also believed to be phony, was found in Perez’ pocket during the booking process.”
At the time of his arrest, police say Leyland gave them two different names. When they learned his true identity, they also discovered Leyland had three outstanding warrants in Taunton and Attleboro for having counterfeit money. Leyland’s bail was set at $7,500 for the Boston case, but he was held without bail for the other charges.
A judge held Felix on $1,000 bail. Both suspects are due back in court in April.
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