“Riots,” Fake $100s & Possibly More On Newkirk Plaza?

We heard a few mumblings of scuffles on Newkirk Plaza last week, described by a mix of Plaza merchants and Twitter users as everything from “a verbal dispute” to a “riot.”

No information about any incidents at the Plaza was released through the normal channels, though–and since no neighbors sent eyewitness accounts, it’s difficult to say what might have caused the multiple incidents suggested (if there were, in fact, multiple incidents), and where they ranked on the exchanging words to all-out-pandemonium scale.

However, we did learn from a few store owners on the Plaza that a struggle ensued last week after a man attempted to pay his bill at Lo Duca with a counterfeit $100. Salvatore and Daniel said they both ran out to apprehend the alleged scammer, who was said to have been arrested following the incident–however, the 70th Precinct has not confirmed this.

Counterfeit $100s made on offset printing machines are becoming an increasing problem in the Tri-state Area, says DNAInfo, who describes the fakes:

The Secret Service warning says the bills contain a set of five different serial numbers and have two black 7s above the last zero on the lower right-hand corner, above the “100” mark on the back of the bill.

For his part, Leon Kogut of Leon’s Fantasy Cut seems most amazed that the bill in question was a fake new $100–you know, the bills that have been outfitted with extra security features like a ribbon with hundreds of thousands of microlenses, an iridescent bell, a redesigned back, and more.

“It’s crazy! They just came out with these new bills, and already they’re trying to pass fakes,” Leon said of the Lo Duca incident.

Daniel and Sal sheepishly insisted they were fine, so we’re glad to posit that perhaps the term “riot” was a bit excessive–unless there was, in fact, a second incident.

Did you see anything strange on Newkirk Plaza last week? And if you’re a business owner, have you had to deal with counterfeit $100s yet?