I-270 drivers scramble to snatch cash that falls out of armored truck

WASHINGTON – Drivers on northbound Interstate 270 hopped out of their cars to grab money after the door of a GardaWorld armored truck malfunctioned and a bag of cash fell out Friday morning, Maryland State Police say.

It happened after 8 a.m. near Urbana, Maryland, forcing northbound I- 270 near Md. 80 to close for about 20 minutes.

Police say the preliminary investigation indicates a door lock malfunctioned, causing the armored car door to open. The bag of cash fell into the fast lane.

“There was no crash. Cash was strewn across the interstate, but was quickly picked up by all the motorists who immediately stopped,” writes Maryland State Police spokesman Greg Shipley in an email to WTOP.

The driver of the security truck moved to the shoulder, and he told police when he did, a number of drivers stopped on the highway and picked up the money. When fire department officials got on the scene, all of the drivers picking up money left.

Later, one person who stopped returned the cash to the Frederick Barrack of the Maryland State Police.

Police say an unknown amount of money was lost. GardaWorld security is assessing the losses.

Troopers, assisted by K9 dogs, managed to recover just over $200.

“Motorists who picked up the cash are reminded it is not their money,” says a news release from the police.

Police are asking people who grabbed the cash on the highway to turn it into any nearby police station.

If the investigation uncovers the identities of those who took the money on the highway, the people involved could face theft charges, police say.

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