Attempt to pass counterfeit money results in three arrests

Attempt to pass counterfeit money results in three arrests

Lawrenceburg Now

Attempts to pass counterfeit money at a Lawrenceburg business last week resulted in the arrests of three Columbia residents.

According to reports filed through the Lawrenceburg Police Department, officers responded to Walmart on North Locust Avenue after store personnel detained one woman. They told officers that the woman, identified as Erica Danielle Collins, age 24, of 504 West Thirteenth Street, Columbia had been caught shoplifting.

Employees reported that a second female, Cindi Jae Ragsdale, 21, of 884 New Lewisburg Highway, Columbia, had “skip scanned” several items, paying for the ones scanned and attempting to flee with the remaining $10 worth of merchandise.

She had also reportedly concealed $158.11 worth of merchandise on her person for which she had not paid. After attempting to pay for her scanned items with counterfeit money, she reportedly fled from the store, got into a vehicle and attempted to leave the parking lot.

A police officer pursued Ragsdale. After “accelerating in an obvious attempt to evade arrest,” he reports he was able to stop her car at a nearby business. Ragsdale exited the vehicle and told the officer that she was suffering a panic attack and was having trouble breathing. Emergency medical personnel subsequently responded to the scene and transported her to Southern Tennessee Regional Health Systems for medical attention.

Reports show that a male subject, identified as Michael Shawn Hendrix, 37, of 500 East Seventeenth Street, Columbia had attempted to hide in the back seat of the vehicle. As he exited the car, an officer noticed a counterfeit $100 bill lying on the seat, beneath his leg. He told the officer that Ragsdale had handed him the bill to pay for gas, and that he was unaware that it was counterfeit.

Collins and Hendrix were placed under arrest and transported to the Lawrence County Detention Center. Collins was booked under charges of theft of property, as well as on an outstanding warrant issued through Maury County. She was incarcerated under a bond of $2,000. Hendrix was charged with criminal simulation, with bond set at $20,000.

Once Ragsdale was released from the hospital she was transported to the detention center where she was booked under charges that include shoplifting, evading arrest, criminal simulation, and driving on a revoked license. Her bond was set at $44,000.

All three have been scheduled an initial appearance in Lawrence County General Sessions Court on April 5, 2018.