FRANKLIN—Three Portsmouth men are in the Southampton County Jail after allegedly trying to pass off counterfeit bills at four Armory Drive gas stations.

The Franklin Police Department responded to the New Dixie Exxon in reference to an individual attempting to pay with counterfeit money at approximately 2 p.m. Thursday, but when they arrived the suspects were gone.

Getting a description of the suspect and the vehicle, a white Mercedes, officers broadcast the information to surrounding jurisdictions.

By approximately 4 p.m., Southampton County Sheriff’s Office deputies pulled the vehicle over and discovered additional counterfeit bills.

Further investigation led to the arrest of the three people. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges could surface.

Matthew Ryan Montoya, 22, 88 Morris St., was charged with conspiring to utter, or attempting to employ as true a false, forged or base coin, note or bill, knowing it to be false, eight counts, obtaining money by false pretense, less than $200, three counts, and possessing 10 or more forged bank notes, one count.

Gerald Leslie Neblett, 25, 1018 Victory Blvd., was charged with conspiring to utter, or attempting to employ as true a false, forged or base coin, note or bill, knowing it to be false, four counts, obtaining by false pretense or token, less than $200, three counts.

Nicholas Lain Spencer, 27, 50 Prospect Pkwy., was charged with conspiring to utter, or attempting to employ as true a false, forged or base coin, note or bill, knowing it to be false, four counts, and obtaining by false pretense or token, less than $200, three counts.

The suspects also reportedly tried to pass off counterfeit money at the Sunoco Food Mart, the Slip In and the Kangaroo.