South LA Residents Scoop Up Cash Thrown By Suspected Bank Robbers
SOUTH LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Some South Los Angeles residents scooped up money that was dumped on the streets by bank robbery suspects who led police on an hour-long pursuit Wednesday morning.
The chase started in Santa Clarita after deputies received a call of an armed robbery at a Bank of America in Canyon Country.
The pursuit continued onto the 110 freeway in Pasadena and into downtown.
Sky9 captured two of the suspects throwing an unknown amount of cash along streets in Exposition Park.
Residents in the area said Christmas came earlier than expected.
"We (were) walking to school and we see somebody throwing out money," said witness Aaron Lavow. "We said, 'Forget that! We're not going to school no more.' We tried to chase them down, man, but too many people were swarming around the money, we couldn't get it."
People raced to get their hands on the cash as more money continued to fly out of the suspects' SUV.
"Around this area, they were throwing only twenties and fifties...a couple of hundreds," said Victor Flores.
A woman named "Kitty" said she only got $2.
"I just saw him throw some money. You know, I wish it was a couple hundred…to put in my pocket," she said.
A unidentified man said he got $60 from the incident.
"I (saw) him driving fast, throwing money outside. The whole neighborhood was running outside. So, I put my shoes on and said, 'I'm about to go outside and get me some money, too,'" he said.
Witness Lee Anthony Outlaw said he wasn't as lucky as some residents.
"When I saw it, it (reminded) me of Robin Hood. You know, somebody throws money, my first reaction is to come outside and get some money," he said.
KCAL9's Bobby Kaple talked to people who said they got $250.
Police are encouraging the locals to turn in the cash as evidence, but said they would be surprised if anyone followed that advice.
