Moses Lake police arrest suspected counterfeiters

An interstate counterfeiting spree ended Monday night in Moses Lake after a man and a woman from Puyallup were arrested in connection with passing fake $100 bills.

Artem V. Kirichenko, 32, and Emily A. Coates, 30, were booked into Grant County Jail, where they face multiple charges, including felony possession of a firearm, possession of meth and heroin, and counterfeit theft charges, according to a police news release. The Moses Lake Police Department said that because the alleged crimes crossed state borders, federal counterfeit charges are also likely.

The two were arrested about 9:30 a.m. at a Moses Lake Walmart, where police said they were trying to use fake $100 bills to purchase items. Officers detained Kirichenko inside the store while Coates was arrested in the parking lot.

Officers served a search warrant on their rental vehicle, where they seized about 4 ounces of meth, an ounce of heroin, about $2,000 in fake money, about $10,000 in real money and an illegally possessed pistol, according to the news release. They also seized a printer, credit card embosser and “dozens of fake credit cards.”

Officers also located receipts that indicated Kirichenko and Coates crossed the state border while using counterfeit money. The U.S. Secret Service, which has authority over federal counterfeit cases, is investigating.

Moses Lake police became aware of the two Monday when they were photographed at a two separate Moses Lake grocery stores using fake $100 bills.

Kirichenko is facing state charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of meth and heroin with intent to deliver, as well as counterfeit and theft charges.

Coates is facing theft and drug charges.