Authorities said this was a family affair for a father, mother and daughter from Arizona. They are accused of making the bogus bills on a computer and buying inexpensive items to get real cash in return.
Investigators said the bills were passed at several Springfield businesses. But a clerk at Sears in the Upper Valley Mall became suspicious and called the Clark County Sheriff's office.
Authorities said the suspects then left the store and were followed by store security until deputies were able to stop them on Route 4. Deputies arrested John Pickavance, 51, along with his wife, Debbie, 48, and their 22-year-old daughter, Shannon Pizana.
Investigators said the family traveled the country mostly on the East Coast, where they would pass counterfeit $100 bills in exchange for currency and merchandise.
Deputies said the trio paid cash for the van they started the alleged illegal shopping spree in Ohio. Investigators said it appears the family has been to Reynoldsburg, Columbus, Springfield and Zanesville.
Authorities said they found thousands of dollars in real cash, along with bogus $100 bills.
Businesses can spot bogus bills by purchasing a counterfeit money detector pen for less than $3 at most office supply stores. On real money, the pen will leave a light brown mark. On bogus money, the pen will leave a black mark.
The three suspects remain in jail on $10,000 bonds each. The case is expected to be turned over to the Secret Service.