Three counterfeit checks cashed in the county total $1,400, Detective Sergeant Harold Phillips said this afternoon.

This brings the total amount of counterfeit checks passed at businesses throughout the area to around $10,000, law enforcement has said.

Perry

The sheriff's office has issued warrants for the arrest of Antione Pierre Pierce, 39 of Roanoke Rapids and Charmain Perry, 35 of Gaston.

Pierce has been charged with five counts of obtaining property by false pretense in check cashing offenses where the victims had their personal checks stolen or was lost.

Perry has been charged with possessing or passing a counterfeit check and obtaining property by false pretense, allegedly passing a counterfeit payroll check at a local business in Littleton using information on a local business in Halifax County.

Pierce and Perry have not been located. Pierce is believed to be in Virginia. Perry is believed to be in Northampton County, and was arrested by Roanoke Rapids Police last week for some of the same charges but made bond.

Tyrone Tashun Conyers Jr., 19, of Roanoke Rapids was arrested and charged with possessing or passing a counterfeit check and obtaining property by false pretense. Conyers was given a $700 bond and a court date of February 12.

Edmonds

Warrants were also issued for the arrest of Michael Jamar Edmonds, 20, of Roanoke Rapids for possessing or passing a counterfeit check and obtaining property by false pretense.

Edmonds has not been located at this time.

Conyers and Edmonds went into a store in Halifax and allegedly passed a counterfeit payroll check using information on a local business in Halifax County.

“We are seeing a lot of these type crimes here in Halifax County,” Phillips said in a statement. “The sheriff’s office urges business owners and employees to pay more attention to checks that are being passed in their business.”

Among the tips, Phillips said, it is important to make sure you check for valid identification cards or drivers licenses. “Write down information on the checks that are taken. Put the information you receive from the person passing the check on the check itself. Make sure you keep your personal checks in a secure place. Do not leave your checkbook out in the open at home or anywhere you visit.”

Anyone with information on Pierce, Perry or Edmonds is asked to call Halifax County Sheriff’s Office at 252-583-8201, Halifax County 911 at 252-583-1991 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.