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Indianapolis, IN - Earlier today, around 9:00 a.m., the Indiana State Police
Dispatch Center began receiving calls about money blowing all over the
interstate and people trying to catch it.
The incident occurred on I-70
near Sam Jones Expressway when the door of a Brinks armored truck opened, and
packages of money fell onto the interstate. While some money bags
remained intact, others broke open and passing traffic blew thousands of
dollars of paper currency across the east and west bound lanes of I-70 traffic.
Some motorists, without regard for their safety or the safety of other
motorists, stopped in the middle of the interstate to gather and pocket the
wind-blown money, as well as the unbroken money bags. As responding troopers
arrived they found several people with money in their hands, bags and pockets;
all of which was returned to the Brinks employees. Troopers at the scene did
receive detailed information from witnesses who reported a number of other motorists had
gathered spilled money and left prior to the arrival of state police
officers. State Police detectives are following up on all leads to
recover money stolen from the scene.
Fortunately, a number of people made the lawful and morally
correct decision to return money they had picked up from the scene. None
of these people were charged with a crime. It is important for anyone who
picked up money from the scene, and has failed to return the money, to
understand they have committed theft, which is a felony offense. To avoid
criminal charges, contact the state police at 317-899-8577 to make arrangements for the money to be recovered. Money
may also be returned to the Indiana State Police Post at 8660 East 21st
Street any time of day or night. State Police Indianapolis District Investigations Commander, First Sergeant Bill Dalton said,
“People know right from wrong and anyone we track down who kept a dollar of
this money will be arrested for theft.” Dalton concluded, “The time to do the
right thing and call us to turn in the money is now, because once we knock on
your door, you won’t be able to avoid being arrested.”
There will be increased patrols in the area where the money
fell from the truck. Citizens are reminded it is an infraction for a
vehicle to be stopped or standing on the interstate and it is also a violation
for pedestrians to be on the interstate as well, beside the fact it isn’t safe.
Citizens found in this area are subject to being cited for applicable
infraction offenses and anyone found in possession of money bags or substantial
sums of currency will become persons of interest in this ongoing investigation.
While there have been a number of media reports about the
amount of money that fell out of the truck, the investigation remains ongoing
and the exact amount of money unaccounted for will not be released, beyond the
amount was a substantial amount. This is an ongoing investigation and no
further information is available for release.
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Bursten / Perrine
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