A Coralville man was charged Sept. 7 after he allegedly tried to purchase cigarettes using a counterfeit $20 bill.

According to a Coralville police complaint, Tyrone Jones, 32, address unknown, allegedly attempted to purchase cigarettes with a counterfeit bill at Tobacco Outlet, 2411 Second St. in Coralville. The complaint said employees at the outlet called police. Officers located Jones, who matched the description given by Tobacco Outlet employees, according to the complaint.

The complaint said officers ordered Jones to empty his pockets, and a fake $20 bill was found in his possession.  The complaint also said Jones allegedly told officers he had attempted to use the bill to pay for cigarettes.

According to the complaint, officers followed up the investigation with Tobacco Outlet employees and found Jones had allegedly left another counterfeit $20 bill at Tobacco Outlet while attempting to purchase items. The complaint said the second bill had the same serial number as the first.

Jones is charged with forgery, a Class-D felony.

— by Matt Starns