Drivers Scramble For Cash After Armored Truck Loses Money
URBANA, Md. (WJZ) --An illegal cash grab. Maryland State Police are investigating after an armored car spills thousands of dollars all over the highway. Commuters dashed right into the road to pick it up and so far police have only recovered a little of it.
Christie Ileto spoke to witnesses.
This armored truck's faulty door sent cash fluttering into the fast lane of I-270 in Urbana.
"I was driving southbound and saw it happen northbound," said Derek Finke.
Finke was on his way to work when police say drivers began helping themselves to the cash in the middle of the interstate.
"I saw the armored truck and a bunch of traffic behind it. I didn't know what had happened," Finke said.
But David Minnich describes it as snow globe of money.
"Everyone hit their break lights and there was like a cloud of money in the air, and it was just flying all over the place," Minnich said.
"The driver did his best to get over to the shoulder, but by the time he got out of his truck, it was too late," said Greg Shipley, Maryland State Police. "It was thousands of dollars at least."
And it's all anyone in this small town is talking about.
"Everyone was saying they want to go there and get some money that was floating around in the sky," said Ryan Doughty, driver.
Police searched the area, but were only able to recover $200 along the shoulder of I-270. Officers will now be looking at traffic cameras to identify anyone who may have picked up some money.
"It was crazy. People were parking and running out and taking cash. I think you would know not do that," said Amanda Ziadeh, driver.
We spotted one man, hours later, pacing the shoulder for any overlooked cash.
One woman already returned $1100. State police is applauding her honesty and urging others who grabbed the flying cash to do the same.
This isn't the first time something like this happened.
Two years ago, dozens of motorists helped themselves to $5700 that fell out of an armored truck in Montgomery County.
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