Pictured is a man suspected of passing counterfeit $20 bills at two Columbia restaurants Sunday night.

Columbia police said counterfeit $20 bills were passed at two businesses in Columbia Center on Sunday evening. Police are urging local businesses to check their currency in case more such bills were passed around that time. Police also advise businesses to use counterfeit banknote detection pens to prevent the passage of fake bills.

A man used two of the counterfeit bills at Marie’s Ice Cream Shoppe. One such bill was also passed at McDonald’s that evening.

All the counterfeit bills have identical serial numbers, police said. Instead of the name “Jackson” under Andrew Jackson’s face on these bills, it reads “This is a replica.”

Pictured are two of the counterfeit $20 bills that were passed in Columbia on Sunday. (photo courtesy Columbia Police Department)

Columbia police on Tuesday released a surveillance image of the suspect from the ice cream shop. He drove a red pickup truck with a yellow decal on the tailgate advertising “Clean Money.” Columbia police requested the public’s assistance to identify him so they can interview him and determine the source of the counterfeit currency.

Police said to call them immediately if anyone tries to pass counterfeit currency at their establishments.   

“I’m betting there’s probably more out there,” Columbia Police Chief Jerry Paul said.

The case is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the CPD at 281-5151.