NORWICH – The Norwich City Police Department have charged two people for exchanging counterfeit bills at local businesses.

Daniel T. Wich, 39, of South Plymouth and Tiffany Steele, 31, of Norwich, were both charged with first degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, a class C felony.

Detective Michael Purdy said the defendants recently received the counterfeit tender from a source outside of the county and police seized about $350 worth of fake $20 and $50 bills. Purdy said the defendants tried to use the money in separate incidents.

He claimed Steele first attempted to use the phony bills at a Norwich convenience store, but a clerk identified them as fake and refused to take them.

“They did a good job of recognizing the counterfeit; their mistake was handing it back to the customer,” said Norwich Police Chief Angelino. The chief urged businesses to contact police whenever they encounter suspected counterfeits.