SHELBYVILLE, Ind. – A Shelby County man was arrested after he allegedly used movie prop money to buy a car on Craigslist. Austin Davis, 18, was charged with auto theft and counterfeiting.
According to court documents, a couple listed their black Nissan 350Z for $10,000 on Craigslist. Davis contacted the couple about the car, and they set up a meeting for May 16 at 8 p.m.
When Davis arrived, he paid the couple a stack of $100 bills for the car. As they were counting the cash, Davis left the premises with the car.
At that point the couple realized the money was fake, and it had “FOR MOTION PICTURE USE ONLY” printed on the back. The couple tried to follow Davis, but they lost track of him.
The couple called police to report a vehicle theft. An officer quickly spotted Davis in the black Nissan, and the officer initiated a traffic stop. The officer asked Davis to step out of the car, and he complied. The officer asked Davis to take his hands out of his pockets, and at that time Davis placed his wallet and a banded stack of cash on the hood of the car.
According to court documents the officer asked Davis why he was carrying a stack of $10,000, and Davis allegedly told the officer that it was “movie prop” money. According to court docs state the money had “FOR MOTION PICTURE USE ONLY” printed on the back.
The officer took Davis into custody. According to court documents, Davis told police that he only planned to test drive the car, but when he got there he decided to use the fake money.
Davis had $2500 in counterfeit cash in a $10K band in his pocket. There was $700 in counterfeit cash in his wallet mixed with real cash.
Davis allegedly told police that he bought the fake money for $20 on eBay.
