A 41 year old Salina Woman arrested Tuesday on charges of theft by deception for passing counterfeit money at a Salina business to purchase a money order to pay her water bill.

Deputy Police Chief Carson Mansfield says Maria Cortez-Flores was arrested after she allegedly passed 7-$10 and 2-$20 bills at Carmelita’s at 1859 S. 9th to purchase a money order that was used to pay her water bill.

The bogus bills all had the same serial number and no security strips.

Mansfield wants to alert Salina area businesses to watch for more counterfeit bills that could be in circulation.