Hanover Park man charged with using counterfeit money

A Cook County judge set bond at $50,000 Saturday for a 21-year-old Hanover Park man charged with using counterfeit $100 bills.

Hoffman Estates police charged Michael Cruz, of the 2300 block of Harbor Lane, with two counts of forgery, class 3 felonies.

Prosecutors said Cruz used counterfeit bills to pay for a room at La Quinta Inn, 2280 Barrington Road, and for purchases at IHOP restaurant, 2250 Barrington Road on Thursday.

A manager at the restaurant called police when he suspected the money was not real.

Police tracked Cruz down at La Quinta Inn where they took him into custody after he tried to run from police, prosecutors said.

Police found an additional three counterfeit $100 bills in Cruz's wallet.

Authorities say he told police that he knew the bills were fake and was using them to help start a music career.

Cruz has served time in jail for aggravated robbery charges in 2007 and was found guilty of theft in 2009. He has an additional retail theft charge that's pending, according to prosecutors. His next court date is Oct. 22.