Carbondale Police are investigating the use of counterfeit money in three occurrences at local businesses this week but have not determined the source of the bills or if they are related.

The first incident took place Monday at the Varsity Theater, 418 S. Illinois Ave., when a suspect changed a $50 bill to use the pay phone, and then purchased some food at the concession stand with a counterfeit $20 bill.

The suspect is described as a black man, 17 to 20 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall with a dark complexion. He was seen wearing a black knit hat, a black leather waist-length coat, white shirt, yellow belt and Tommy Hilfiger brand blue jeans.

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The second incident took place Tuesday at Taco Bell, 412 E. Walnut St. The suspect ordered food at the drive-thru and presented a $50 bill as payment. An employee presented the bill to a store manager, who refused to accept the bill because it appeared to be fake. The suspect drove off in a teal-green Ford Mustang with violence prevention license plates.

The suspect is described as a black woman, 24 to 25 years old, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a light complexion. She has tapered hair, long, red fingernails and gold rings on the last three fingers of her left hand. Her passengers were described as two black men.

Police said the suspect might be a SIUC or John A. Logan College student. An employee thought the suspects looked familiar and might attend John A. Logan College.

The third counterfeit attempt occurred Wednesday at Rally’s, 709 S. Illinois Ave. A black, heavy-set man with a mustache, whose speech was hard to understand, presented a $50 bill for payment. The money was refused and confiscated by employees.

The suspect left the business in a dark blue, two-door Chevy Lumina that has a red pinstripe and a spoiler. The vehicle has Illinois license plates.

Anyone with information regarding these cases should contact the Carbondale Police Department at 457-3206, or call Carbondale CrimeStoppers at 549-COPS.