Officers responded to the 1000 block of Ridge Drive for a report of a suspicious vehicle on Friday and recovered a rope noose, a large amount of counterfeit currency and a small amount of cannabis.

According to a DeKalb Police Department Press Release, “the complainant reported that occupants of a vehicle parked near his residence and displayed a noose.”

The vehicle was occupied by Norman Bodda, 20, of Malta, and Lucas Barber, 19, of DeKalb.

According to the press release, an investigation revealed that Bodda and Barber sold cannabis to a resident who lived with the complainant a day prior to the incident and was paid in counterfeit money. Bodda and Barber said the incident with the noose was retaliation for a drug rip-off.

The intended target of the intimidation was not found by police.

Bodda and Barber are both charged with a hate crime, a Class 4 felony, and a disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor. Bodda is also charged with possession of cannabis, a Class C misdemeanor. Bodda and Barber were taken to the DeKalb County Jail, pending a bond hearing.