On Thursday, 03-21-2019 Lincoln City Police arrested two subjects in connection with an investigation involving the passing of counterfeit currency at businesses in Lincoln City. 28 year-old Cody Olin Yankee of Mesa, Arizona was taken into custody and charged with two counts of Forgery 1, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument and Identity Theft. 37 year-old Sylvia Sharee Schelske of Mesa, Arizona was taken into custody and charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Forgery 1, Criminal Possession of Forgery Devise and Fugitive with an out of state felony warrant.       

On 03-20-2019 at about 2:50 PM, the Lincoln City Police responded to the North Shell Station on a report that a male subject had attempted to pass a counterfeit $100.00 bill. When confronted about the bill, the male subject quickly left the area in what was described as a blue Ford sedan. The investigating officer obtained a description of the suspect and a good photo of him from the store’s video surveillance system. This photo was provided to other officers.

On 03-21-2019 at about 6:46 PM, Lincoln City Police received a report of subjects passing counterfeit bills at Schucker’s bar. While officers were responding, it was reported that the suspects fled north bound from the bar in a blue Ford sedan with witnesses giving a partial license plate for the vehicle. Responding officers spotted the described vehicle traveling north bound near the SE 2100 block of Hwy 101 and conducted a traffic stop on that vehicle. During the subsequent investigation officer’s learned that Sylvia Sharee Schelske had an extraditable felony warrant issued for her arrest for failing to appear on a smuggling contraband charge out of Navajo County Arizona. In addition Cody Olin Yankee initially identified himself using his brother’s name, who coincidently had a warrant issued for his arrest. Cody Yankee was detained while officers continued their investigation and once Cody learned his brother had a warrant out for his arrest, he then gave his real name to officers. During the course of the investigation officers found evidence implicating the suspects with the listed charges. A third subject in the vehicle, the driver was questioned and eventually released. Cody Yankee and Sylvia Schelske where initially transported to the Lincoln City Police Department before later being transported and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on their listed charges.        

The Lincoln City Police Department encourages citizens and business to be sure to take the time to examine the currency they receive, especially larger denomination bills to be sure they are real US currency and to contact the local law enforcement agency immediately if they receive any suspected counterfeit currency. Information regarding counterfeit currency and how to spot it is available at the police department free of charge.    

Submitted By:

Sergeant Jeffrey Winn