Citizen Stops Suspect in Merchants Square Pursuit

By WYDaily Staff Saturday, May 14, 2011

A Lanexa man is being hailed as a hero for tackling a man suspected of passing counterfeit bills at Merchants Square shops.

Scott Kent was out with his family on Duke of Gloucester Street Thursday around 12:30 p.m. when he saw police running after a man. Williamsburg Police spokesman Major Greg Riley said Kent "tackled the subject, dropping him to the ground," where he held him until police caught up.

Police had been called to the 400 block of Duke of Gloucester Street for a complaint of a suspect passing counterfeit money. When they arrived, police located a subject who fit the description of the perpetrator. According to a statement from police, once the suspect spotted the officers he fled on foot.

That's when Kent stepped in to help. Officers subsequently identified the suspect as John Jaffe of Maryland.

Maj. Riley said Jaffe is suspected of passing several fake $100 bills in the Merchants Square area before police were alerted to the suspicious activity. Recovered from Jaffe, Riley said, were several counterfeit $50 and $100 bills.

Jaffe has been charged with three counts each of forgery and uttering. He was transported to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail. No further information was available.