Funny money leads to arrests

PROVO — Four people are in police custody, accused of making fake U.S. money and using it at fast-food restaurants in Utah County.

American Fork police officers received a tip Sunday that someone had tried to pass a fake $20 bill at a Wendy's at 368 E. State Rd. in American Fork, according to a police report.

When officers responded, they found a man, 24, with two fake $20 bills. The man and his girlfriend, 19, were taken to the police station where police say the man admitted to making and passing fake money and named another man and woman who had helped him.

The man also told police he and his girlfriend had used the money at three fast-food restaurants in American Fork, as well as shops in Pleasant Grove and Lindon, according to the report.

In the man's car there was a hat with the word "Police" on it, handcuffs, a CB radio, a stun gun and a toy gun altered to look real, according to the report.

"It is believed that (the man) was attempting to impersonate a police officer while passing the fake bills ... to avoid any suspicion," according to the police report.

Police say the brother of the man's girlfriend heard about the woman's arrest and tried to hide the equipment the group used to make the fake money.

However, police found printers, papers and printed money in the car of the woman, 21, who was named as a co-conspirator by the couple who was arrested at Wendy's.

The U.S. Secret Service was contacted and told local officials they would be investigating the case as well, according to the report.

The four individuals were booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of crimes related to the alleged counterfeiting.