Cherokee County, Ala., agents arrested three people recently for trying to pass counterfeit money at an Alabama eating establishment.

According to reports:

Arrested were Amy Eloise Garrett 25, Randy Ray Abernathy, 31, and Chadwick Keith Brannon 25, all from Rome, who were were charged with possession of a forged instrument in the first degree.

On Thursday October 23, according to reports, agents with Cherokee County Narcotics Unit responded to a BOLO call at McDonald's Restaurant on Cedar Bluff Road where a white four door sedan occupied by three persons had just attempted to pass a counterfeit $20 bill.

Agents Kirk Blankenship and Chris O'Neal, reports said, observed the vehicle recklessly leave the parking lot of McDonald's, almost causing several accidents, in attempts to flee the scene. Upon stopping the vehicle and talking with the occupants the Agents learned that they were in possession of several hundred dollars in counterfeit monies.

One of the suspects attempted to hide the evidence of the counterfeit money by putting it inside a Coca-Cola bottle but this attempt at deception was quickly observed by agents during the traffic stop. It was later discovered that the three suspects had previously passed a $20 bill at the local Burger King in Centre.

U.S. Secret Service Agents responded the following day and recovered more counterfeit money as well as computer equipment used to manufacture the counterfeit money at an apartment rented by one of the suspects in Rome. All three suspects are facing state and federal charges.

Agent Kirk Blankenship is conducting the investigation along with the assistance of the United States Secret Service