OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — An Oil City man is facing felony charges after he allegedly attempted to use two counterfeit $100 bills at an area bank.

Court documents indicate the Oil City Police Department filed criminal charges against 78-year-old Larry Wade Spence, of Oil City.

According to a criminal complaint, on September 25, 2019, Oil City Police were dispatched to an area bank for a report of a male subject attempting to use counterfeit money.

Officer Anderson spoke with employees of the bank who advised that Larry Wade Spence had brought in two $100 bills and asked to deposit $100 in his bank account and to receive five $20 bills in change.

The complaint notes that after a brief investigation, the bank found the money was not valid and advised Spence they would not accept it.

According to the complaint, Spence then traveled to the same bank again on October 17 and attempted to use the same bills to deposit $175 in his account and get $25 in cash. He was advised the bank would not complete the transaction due to the bills being found to be counterfeit. The bills were seized by the bank at that time.

Officer Anderson then retrieved the bills and went to speak to Spence.

Spence told police the bills belonged to his son and he was trying to deposit them into his account.

According to the complaint, when asked, he admitted he knew the bills were fake, but said he needed the money.

The complaint notes that Spence then also asked if it was okay that his vehicle was still parked in front of the bank and explained he drove to the bank, but when he attempted to leave, his car would not start, so he left it there.

According to the complaint, further investigation discovered Spence’s driver’s license was suspended at the time he drove to the bank.

Spence was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, November 4, on the following charges:

– Forgery — Utters Forged Writing, Felony 2
– Trademark Counterfeiting — Displays, Felony 3
– Criminal Attempt — Trademark Counterfeiting — Displays, Misdemeanor 1
– Drive While Operator Privilege Suspended Or Revoked, Summary

He remains free after being released on his own recognizance.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 13, with Judge Fish presiding.