ELIZABETHTOWN — Local law enforcement is urging area businesses and residents to be aware that counterfeit money has been circulating.

According to Elizabethtown Interim Police Chief N. Kip Hester, three arrests have taken place on charges of counterfeit money, and additional arrests are pending.

Those arrested so far were:

— Vandido Hambrick of Elizabethtown was arrested after attempting to purchase alcohol at the Scotchman in Elizabethtown with a counterfeit $20 bill.

“Hambrick was located after leaving the store by Patrolman C. Capshaw, who was on patrol and stopped a Moped driven by Hambrick,” Hester said. “Hambrick was arrested and charged with uttering counterfeit currency and resisting public officer.”

Hambrick was placed in Bladen County Jail under a $5,000 secured bond.

— Cllifton Martin of Elizabethtown was arrested for passing counterfeit currency on two occasions at McDonalds in Elizabethtown.

“Martin was arrested by Sgt. Winfort Nichols and placed in Bladen County Jail under a $2,500 secured bond,” Hester said. “This case was investigated by Det. J. Guyton.”

— Natasha Rogers of Elizabethtown attempted to pass a counterfeit $20 bill at the Kangaroo in Elizabethtown but was refused by the clerk.

“Rogers then took the counterfeit bill to Family Dollar and was successful in making a purchase,” Hester said. “Rogers has been charged with two counts of possessing counterfeit currency, one count of obtaining property by false pretense, and one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense.”

Rogers is still at large; anyone with information on her whereabouts is requested to contact Det. J. Guyton at the Elizabethtown Police Department 910-862-3125.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

W. Curt Vincent

cvincent@civitasmedia.com