DARIEN, N.Y. — Authorities say a 35-year-old man tried to swallow several counterfeit $50 bills after he was caught trying to use the bogus money at a western New York amusement park.

The Genesee (JEN’-uh-see) County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called to Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort on Sunday night after Larry Jones, of Buffalo, bought french fries with a $50 bill.

Deputies say a park employee determined the bill was counterfeit and called security. While being taken away, deputies say Jones stuffed five counterfeit bills into his mouth and tried to eat them.

Security officers retrieved the bills before Jones swallowed them.

Jones was charged with possessing a forged instrument and tampering with evidence and sent to the county jail with no bail. It couldn’t be determined if he had a lawyer.