The VIPD has not yet released a mugshot of the suspect. This story will be updated if one is provided.
ST. THOMAS — A man is facing felony charges after employees at First Stop Gas Station in Estate Thomas accused him of using counterfeit $50 bills to make purchases late Saturday night.
Police were dispatched to the gas station after workers reported receiving counterfeit currency from a customer. Officers were told that a man known as “Pie” had purchased several items throughout the night, paying with $50 bills.
According to the report, on the first occasion, the man asked the cashier to tape up a torn $50 bill, then used it to purchase $8 worth of items. He received the appropriate change and returned within the hour to make another purchase. Again, he paid for approximately $11 worth of goods with a $50 note.
The cashier told police the bills felt real to him at the time. Later that night, however, he asked a third party for their opinion about the bills he had received from “Pie.” That person said the money appeared to be counterfeit.
When the employee responsible for counting the money at the end of the shift arrived to perform his duties, he found a total of eight counterfeit $50 bills, all bearing the same serial number. The cashier identified “Pie” as the suspect, and surveillance footage appeared to support his suspicions.
An off-duty officer working security at the gas station identified “Pie” as Zebedee Frank Fevrier. While the matter was being discussed, Mr. Fevrier returned to the establishment and asked the off-duty officer for his phone. He identified himself as “Pie,” but when police informed him that he was not free to leave, he tried walking away from the station.
He was detained despite the attempt to leave. Officers noted signs of apparent intoxication, including a strong odor of marijuana and alcohol, slurred speech, glassy eyes, excessive perspiration, and facial twitches.
Mr. Fevrier first claimed that he had not been at the gas station that night, then said one of the employees had assaulted him. He was arrested and charged with passing fictitious bills and obtaining money by false pretence.
He was charged under the name “John Doe” because, during booking, he provided officers with incorrect information regarding his date of birth and the spelling of his name. However, a second officer also identified him as Zebedee Frank Fevrier.
On Monday, Mr. Fevrier appeared before Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull, who found probable cause to uphold the charges against him.
Bail was set at $7,000, with 5% due in cash and the remainder signed as an unsecured bond. Before release, Mr. Fevrier must provide the court with a government-issued identification document and inform the court where his passport is being held.
Once released, Mr. Fevrier will be required to report to the probation office twice a week in person. He must also undergo a psychological evaluation by Department of Health officials and comply with the recommendations from that evaluation, along with the other standard bail conditions imposed by the court.
Mr. Fevrier’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 26.
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