Suspected counterfeiters arrested at Graton casino

Two Vallejo men were arrested Wednesday after they attempted to pass fake $100 bills at the Graton Resort and Casino and were found to have nearly $36,000 of the counterfeit money in their car, Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies said.

Rodney Short, 49, and Johnny Winn, 52, were held after employees of the casino near Rohnert Park spotted the phony bills about 4:30 p.m. and called police.

Deputies said each was carrying a large amount in their pockets and even more was found in their vehicle. Photos posted on Facebook showed wads of fake cash spread out next to a computer keyboard.

The bills were made to resemble a “much older version of the $100 bill than is currently issued by the government,” according to a posting on the sheriff’s Facebook page.

Deputies urged local businesses to be cautious when accepting older currency, which does not have updated features to prevent counterfeiting.

Both men were booked on burglary and counterfeiting charges.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 707-568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.