Two men were arrested Friday evening in North Vernon after police said they used counterfeit bills to pay for a meal at a restaurant.

David R. Roybal, 18, of North Vernon, and William P. Riffe II, 23, of Columbus, Ohio, were in possession of more than $1,000 in counterfeit money, according to a news release from the North Vernon Police Department.

The pair were taken to the Jennings County Jail and booked on charges of fraud, a Level 6 felony, and theft, a Class A misdemeanor.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

Police said on Friday evening, Officer Wes Thayer, Sgt. Keith Messer and Officer Todd Beam responded to a report of a customer using counterfeit money to pay for a meal at a local restaurant.

When Thayer arrived and collected the counterfeit money, he learned the individuals who had used it had already left the restaurant. However, he got a detailed description of the two suspects and passed the information along to the other officers, police said.

In less than five minutes, Roybal and Riffe were located on North Elm Street in North Vernon and detained, police said.

Police said Riffe was found to have had $1,040 of counterfeit money in his possession. After being questioned by police, Roybal admitted to using some of it at another North Vernon business.

Thayer examined the counterfeit bills and found that the serial numbers matched the authentic bills Riffe had on him.

Both Riffe and Roybal were arrested and booked at the jail without bond at 7:30 p.m. Friday.