Tinley Man Gets $2,110 in Funny Money for Oldsmobile

A 25-year-old Tinley Park man was duped on Monday after accepting a stack of counterfeit cash in exchange for his 2001 Oldsmobile.

The man, of the 17300 block of South Oconto Avenue, called police around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to the report. He said he was flagged down while driving on Sunday near the intersection of 156th Street and Center in Harvey after a passenger in a vehicle noticed a "for sale" sign he had posted in his window.

The prospective buyer, who called himself "Churl Johnson," said he wanted to meet in Markham so he could purchase the car, but the victim insisted on meeting in Tinley, where he lived. "Johnson" met the seller around 9 p.m. Monday, arriving in a silver, 2006 or newer Chrysler Town & Country minivan that had about four other people in it. 

"(The victim) asked Churl if he had the agreed-upon $3,500 in cash," the report said. "Churl said he did and flashed a stack of money."

The two spent about 30 minutes test driving the car and making sure it had been empty of the victim's belongings, police said.

Johnson eventually handed over the money and the owner signed over the vehicle title.

"Churl kept talking to him and distracted him from checking the money until he had the title in his hand," the report said.

Police said "Johnson" sped off after getting the paperwork.

When the seller took a closer look at the money, he realized it was counterfeit. He told the cops he didn't notice sooner because it was dark and he was distracted.

Police gathered evidence in hopes of finding "Johnson," including a pen he used to sign the document and the counterfeit money.

The cash stack had 23 $20 bills with three different serial numbers, nine $50 bills with three different serial numbers and a dozen $100 bills with five different serial numbers. It totaled $2,110 in fake dough.

Johnson is described as a black man, about 25 years old, 6-foot-1 and weighing about 190 pounds. He had an Afro, a goatee and multiple tattoos on the fingers of both hands. He wore a gold ring with a black stone encircled in diamonds, police said.

The stolen car is a 2001 four-door Oldsmobile Aurora with the license plate 8066785.