$293,500 missing after Brink's truck drops money on Route 3 in East Rutherford
About $11,000 was returned to the East Rutherford Police Department after a Brink's truck dropped cash on Route 3 west during morning rush hour Thursday, but it was just a drop in the bucket.
About $295,000 remained missing as of Friday, according to East Rutherford Capt. Phil Taormina. When the truck's back door malfunctioned two bags of money fell off — one with $370,000 cash and another with $140,000.
Of the $510,000 dropped, Brink's personnel and honest drivers retrieved about $205,000. Five people then handed back another $11,000 as of Friday.
Drivers on both sides of the highway came to a halt Thursday to try to grab some of the money fluttering around the highway, but the money doesn't belong to them and should be returned, police said. The money technically belongs to Brink's until it is delivered to its ending destination, said Taormina.
Police responded to at least one crash that happened because of the mad dash for cash, Taormina said.
Those who returned the cash said they thought it was the right thing to do, but also were confused about the circumstances of the dollars on the highway, Taormina said.
"The first woman I spoke to said they thought it was a public relations stunt," he said. "They didn’t see the Brink's truck. They just saw the money in the air. When they saw the reporting on television, they realized it was the right thing to do."
In a video posted to Twitter by Sabrina Quagliozzi, one of the Brink's employees can be seen attempting to collect the scattered money. Those that picked it up while driving along Route 3 have no claim and could face prosecution.
EARLIER:Drivers cash in on Brink's truck incident as money scatters on Route 3
BRING IT BACK:Money for nothing? If you picked up cash off Rt. 3, give it back to Brink's, police say
CHIEF OF STAFF?:Christie reportedly meets with President Trump at White House amid chief of staff rumors
"It would be like theft of mislaid goods," Taormina said Thursday. "The truck was parked on the shoulder and two armed guards, Brink's employees, were trying to gather the money."
A person could be arrested and charged with theft if the money is not returned, said Taormina. The police department said that anyone who picked up money can call them to make arrangements to return it without charges being filed.
Detectives are investigating the incident by scouring through photos and videos posted to social media and video surveillance from New Jersey Department of Transportation cameras posted along the highway. Taormina said police will try to look for anything that would be distinguishing about the people and cars that stopped.
Individuals looking to turn in money can contact the East Rutherford Police Department at 201-438-0165 to make arrangements.