On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at approximately 5:30 p.m., members of the Kinston Police Department were dispatched to Holiday Inn Express, 1156 Hill Farm Rd. Kinston, N.C., in reference to the discovery of tenants manufacturing counterfeit money. Upon arrival, Officers and Detectives were able to secure the room, and a search warrant was executed. During the search, officers located counterfeit U.S. Currency, printers, and dying equipment. A short time later, officers were able to locate the suspects, who were identified as Mark Ellis (28) of Rock Hill, SC, and Shyheed Harper (27) of Charlotte. Both suspects were arrested and charged with Forgery of Instrument, Possession of 5 or more Forged Instruments, and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. They were placed in the Lenoir County Jail under secured bonds. 

The Kinston Police Department makes it a priority to investigate all crimes perpetrated in our city. We will investigate such cases without compromise for crime and continue to seek assistance from the community we proudly serve.  If anyone has information about this incident, please call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020, Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444, or through the Tip411 App that is available on both Apple and Android devices.  Calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential and anonymous, and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.