Waldoboro Police arrested a South Thomaston man after they say he tried to pass four counterfeit $20 bills at Rockland Savings Bank in Waldoboro.
A bank teller called police when Scott Elwell, 47, allegedly tried to make a payment to the bank in forged bills at around 2:30 p.m. on July 21. Waldoboro Police Det. Lance Mitchell and Officer Sean Kozer arrived while Elwell was still at the bank.
“Visually, the bills are pretty good,” said Waldoboro Police Chief Bill Labombarde, “but they feel like they were printed on regular printer paper.”
After searching Elwell’s person and vehicle, Police say they found $400 in fake $20 bills, a loaded handgun, brass knuckles, a knife and other weapons considered to be dangerous, drug paraphernalia, oxycodone, methadone and 10 containers of bath salts.
Possession of bath salts is illegal in Maine, in response to a statewide rash of hospitalizations and incidents involving the hallucinogenic substance. Until recently, they could be purchased over the counter.
This was the Waldoboro Police Department’s first arrest involving bath salts, Labombarde said.
Possession of bath salts is a civil violation, carrying a relatively small fine. “We’re trying to get some teeth added to the law,” Labombarde said. “These are dangerous drugs.”
Elwell was charged with aggravated forgery, carrying concealed weapons and possession of bath salts; the investigation into Elwell is ongoing and more charges are pending, police said.
Elwell was released on unsecured bail the same day, jail officials said.
