(KAIR)--An ongoing investigation into counterfeit cash in Atchison lands a 37-year-old Atchison man in jail, with more arrests likely. “We do continue to investigate counterfeit currency cases,” Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News. “On Tuesday, Police and Sheriff's investigators did take 37-year-old Robert Renne, also known as Tim Renne, into custody on a state charge of making a false writing in connection to evidence that we found during several residential searches.” 

Wilson says the arrest came through a partnership of law enforcement agencies conducting a probe into where the funny money is coming from. “The Police and Sheriff's Departments continue to investigate these cases, but we've also been joined by federal agents as we look into these cases.” 

The felony charge of making a false writing is broad, covering a wide spectrum of fraud; and when asked  if Renee is accused of actually making the counterfeit cash, Wilson won't yet offer specifics. “That's a good question, maybe a little bit early to answer  you real accurately because the investigation is fluid as we speak. We've had almost fifty cases between the Police and Sheriff's Departments of counterfeit bills appearing, as well as we've made a connection into what we believe some bills that's manufactured in our jurisdiction that have been taken elsewhere, specifically we know the number of cases where it's gone into Missouri. It's a pretty widespread investigation that involves not only people responsible for making the bills but for passing the bills.” 

Wilson says it's believed more details on the counterfeiting operation will soon be revealed through the investigation. “We also believe that we are close to identifying how the bills originated. In other words, who's manufacturing the bills, as well as distributing those bills to other people who take them to, mainly, retail businesses throughout northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri.” 

Following his arrest on the state charge, Renne was booked into the Atchison County Jail where he remains.