WOMAN ARRESTED FOR COUNTERFEIT BILLS

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- A Lincolnton woman wasn't "lovin' it" Tuesday, as she was arrested at McDonalds on East Main Street after she tried to pass a counterfeit $100 bill that she made on her home copier.

Police responded to McDonalds around 10 a.m., after store employees called about the counterfeit bill.

The 26-year-old woman paid for her order in the drive-thru and was then told to come inside.

According to the Lincolnton Police incident report, the suspect was identified as Shawna Danielle McLean of North Highview Lane, Lincolnton.

Officer Billy Burgin and Sgt. Johnny Caudle said when the suspect came back inside, she tried to give the change back to the restaurant from the counterfeit bill. Then, she tried to pay with a real $100 bill.

McLean told police she thought she got the counterfeit bill at Wal-Mart because she went there before going to McDonalds.

According to the report, McLean consented for officers to search her vehicle. They didn't find any items from Wal-Mart. However, authorities found a wad of counterfeit $100 bills stuffed between the seats of McLean's car.

After McLean was taken into custody by police, she waived her rights and told authorities she needed the money to buy Christmas presents for her family.

McLean was charged with eight counts of forgery; one count of uttering a forged insturment; and one count of possession of a counterfeit bill.

She was taken to the Lincoln County Magistrate's Office, where she was given a $10,000 unsecured bond and released from custody.

McLean has a first appearance hearing set for Wednesday in Lincolnton District Court.

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