Two teens accused of using fake bills at pet stores in Whitby and Ajax

A Durham Regional Police car is shown in Bowmanville, Ont. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives

Police have charged two teenagers who they say used fake bills at two pet stores in Ajax and Whitby in January.

Durham Regional Police said they were called to Ren’s Pet Store at 280 Kingston Rd. on Jan. 15 for reports of fraud.

Two teenage boys entered the store and allegedly bought a dog crate using counterfeit currency.

The two then attended another Ren’s Pet Store at 980 Taunton Rd. E., where they allegedly returned the crate in exchange for a legitimate bill.

Police further allege the two purchased another item using counterfeit cash again.

The two returned to the store in the evening to allegedly seek a refund, but staff confronted them, prompting them to flee.

Police said the two suspects, a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, both from Oshawa, surrendered earlier this month. They have each been charged with two counts of fraud under $5,000 and two counts of uttering counterfeit money.

They cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.