INYOKERN, Calif.—Thousands of dollar bills stolen from a restaurant in California’s high desert could not have been more clearly marked: The Homestead had a tradition of customers writing messages on the currency and hanging it on the walls.

Authorities allege that didn’t stop 34-year-old Donald Dejarnette from using some of the cash last week to pay for_of all things—a court fine.

Kern County sheriff’s Sgt. Tyson Davis said a clerk immediately recognized the bills. Some even had “Homestead” written on them.

Dejarnette and four others have been arrested on suspicion of taking $8,000 from the restaurant. About $1,000 has been recovered.

The sheriff’s department Tuesday didn’t know whether any of the suspects has hired an attorney.