Counterfeiting operation exposed in East Portland

Since one of those arrested is also suspected of being a bank robber, it’s not likely that at least one member of this criminal couple will be out of jail soon …

Inside a restroom at this Fred Meyer store, an erratically-behaving woman led police to what they say is counterfeiting ring.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Circumstances that led up to a couple, accused of extensive criminal activity, being taken into custody on August 31, started in the woman’s restroom of the Foster Fred Meyer store at about 7:30 p.m. that evening.

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officers were called to the store, at SE 82nd Avenue of Roses and Foster Road, after employees called 9-1-1 to report “a woman who was acting erratically in the bathroom,” said the Bureau’s Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson.

Inside the restroom, officers found the woman, later identified as 26-year-old Brittney Ann Caudle.

The officers learned Caudle had a Federal warrant and had previously been involved in a Portland-area bank robbery in 2010. “Caudle was taken into custody without incident,” Simpson said.

Investigators say they found fake money and counterfeiting equipment inside a room at this outer East Portland motel.

The investigation then led officers to Caudle’s boyfriend, 37-year-old Curtis Allen Purdy, at a nearby hotel room – along with two other subjects.

When officers looked around the room at the Best Value Inn, at 3310 SE 82nd Avenue, they were surprised to discover evidence of a US currency counterfeiting operation – a federal crime.

26-year-old Brittney Ann Caudle was arrested for possessing counterfeit US currency – and is being held on a Federal warrant.

At 10:15 p.m. that evening, Caudle was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) on 11 counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree.

Caudle remains lodged at MCDC with combined bail set at $55,000 – but she is also being kept in custody on a United States Marshall Service “Hold”.

37-year-old Curtis Allen Purdy remains in custody on a United States Marshall Service “Hold” related to the alleged counterfeiting operation.

And, Purdy was booked into MCDC at 12:37 a.m. on September 1, charged with 21 counts of Forgery in the First Degree, 5 counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree, Possession of a Forgery Device, and Furnishing False Information to Police.

According to updated MCDC records, all of Purdy’s charges were “Released”. However, he continues to be lodged at Multnomah County Inverness Jail on a United States Marshall Service “Hold”.

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