VIDALIA — Two people were arrested on counterfeiting charges Tuesday after allegedly trying to pass off fake $100 bills as legitimate.

Niles L. Wilson, 48, 351 Thomas Road, Ferriday, and Dorothy D. Hardin, 56, 421 N. Rankin St., Natchez, were arrested on charges of monetary instrument abuse following the incident.

The pair allegedly spent one of the bills in the Vidalia Racetrac buying cigarettes, and the clerk gave them $85 worth of change, Police Chief Ronnie G. “Tapper” Hendricks said.

“He thought, ‘That is easy, I got $85 in my pocket,’ so he went out to the vehicle and got another (fake $100 bill),” Hendricks said.

After trying to use the second bill, the clerk checked it and discovered it was counterfeit, and contacted the police, Hendricks said.

The two were detained without bond.