Miami Men Caught With Counterfeit Cash In Keys

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Two Miami men were taken into custody in Key Largo after they were reportedly caught with several thousand dollars in counterfeit money.

On Tuesday a Monroe County Sheriff's deputy was sent to the Circle K gas station at the mile marker 99 after someone used a fake $20 bill when paying for a soft drink. A review of the store's security video revealed that after passing the phony bill, the man got into the passenger side of a black Honda four door which drove off.

About an hour later, the deputy spotted the same car in the parking lot of a pizza restaurant at the mile marker 98. He pulled in to check it out and recognized the person in the passenger seat as the man from the video.

Inside the car Rafael Dominguez, 19, was in the drivers seat, Rolando Rodriguez, 20, was in the passenger seat and 16-year old girl was in the back seat. She said she was Dominguez' girlfriend.

During questioning, Dominguez reportedly admitted to having counterfeit money. Deputies found $2,720 in a center console under the stereo.

The sheriff's office said the group had been traveling throughout the Keys stopping at convenience stores and using the bills to buy small things like sodas, juice bottles and gum.

Investigators also found a roll of cash totaling $477 in the driver's side door – presumably the change from the small transactions they had completed using the counterfeit money. A small amount of marijuana was found in the door as well.

Both men were arrested and were charged with counterfeiting with intent to defraud, possession of more than 10 counterfeit bulls, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of marijuana. The girl was not charged. Her parents were contacted and they made arrangements for her to be picked up.