Man arrested with $820 in fake bills

A Bloomington resident was arrested Wednesday afternoon after police said he attempted to purchase about $780 worth of electronics with counterfeit bills at the College Mall.\nAnthony M. Burns, 22, faces preliminary charges of counterfeiting and possession of a handgun without a permit.\nThe Bloomington Police Department was dispatched Wednesday afternoon to the Game Stop shop at the College Mall in reference to a man using counterfeit bills, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report. \nBPD officers Paul Post and Monica Zahasky learned that Burns attempted to buy a Sony Playstation 3, four video games and some cables, Canada said. An employee at the store recognized the counterfeit bills and Burns was detained by mall security before BPD arrived.\nBurns was brought back to BPD headquarters for questioning, where he said he received the money from somebody else, Canada said. After Post patted Burns down, officers located a black and silver .9 mm handgun on his waist. Burns did not have a license to carry the gun, Canada said.\nIn total, Burns had $820 in counterfeit $20 bills.\nBurns told officers he realized the money was fake and then bought the weapon for protection, Canada said. Burns would not disclose where he bought the handgun.\nBurns was arrested and transported to the Monroe County Jail.