Miscellaneous
She Stole Goods But Had Weird Cash: What Was It Really?
A 22-year-old woman was arrested for felony retail theft after police found prop money and drug paraphernalia on her following a JCPenney incident.
Authorities in Pennsylvania apprehended a suspect carrying five pieces of fake currency that closely resembled genuine bills. The individual, identified as Trista Lynn Brotzman, faced charges related to merchandise theft from a JCPenney store. While the notes appeared authentic from afar, they bore specific markings indicating their status as props rather than legal tender.
Arrest Details and Initial Findings
The Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department announced via its official Facebook page that the arrest occurred on September 21 at approximately 5:26 p.m. Reports indicated that Brotzman concealed items within her purse and exited the retailer without completing payment. Loss prevention staff notified law enforcement, but officers arrived to find the suspect had already crossed the street toward neighboring businesses.
Police quickly located and detained the individual. A subsequent search revealed drug paraphernalia, leading to an additional charge. Officers also discovered five counterfeit-looking US dollar bills. Photographic evidence displayed one $50 note, one $20 bill, two $10 notes, and one $5 bill. These items mimicked real currency until observers noticed the text “For Motion Picture Purposes” printed beside the presidential portraits.
Legal Charges and Prior History
Brotzman did not face charges for possessing counterfeit money. The bills were classified as prop currency, which only becomes legally defined as counterfeit if used to deceive others into accepting them as real funds. Authorities could not establish such usage, though the presence of these items on a suspected thief drew attention.
The suspect was processed at Wilkes-Barre Township Police Headquarters. Her criminal docket lists one felony count of retail theft and one misdemeanor count for possession of drug paraphernalia. The retail theft allegation was elevated to a felony due to previous convictions, details of which were not specified in the police post.
FOX56 reported in August 2025 that a 21-year-old named Trista Brotzman was taken into custody in Butler Township. This earlier incident followed an investigation at a property in Drums, Pennsylvania.
