*A routine drive turned into an unexpected cash grab in Oak Park, Illinois, after an armored Brinks truck accidentally released three bags of money into the streets, prompting dozens of bystanders to seize the moment, and the cash.
According to a police complaint, the back door of the Brinks vehicle opened “by unknown means” as it traveled through the suburb west of Chicago, NBC Chicago reports. Within seconds, loose bills scattered across the pavement, creating a frenzy. Eyewitnesses described scenes of people dashing into the street, stuffing wads of cash into their pockets and bags before disappearing.
‘We had reports of people on the interstate, people on the side of the interstate, in the ditches, in the grassy on the side of the interstate as well,” Indiana State Police Corporal Brock McCooe said.
Estimates of the number of people involved vary. Brinks told NBC Chicago that 50 to 100 individuals scooped up the cash, while the truck driver reported seeing “dozens.” In total, roughly $300,000 was lost in the impromptu street heist.
Though technically considered theft, no arrests have been made, and officials say none are imminent. Oak Park authorities confirmed Friday that the case remains open but have offered no updates about potential suspects or recovery efforts. Tracking the money is no easy task, notes former FBI agent and FTI Consulting expert Mike Driscoll.
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“There’s ways to track payments, track wires, track digital payments, even when things get into the cryptocurrency world, it’s possible to conduct tracing for those assets. In incident like this when you’re talking about lose cash, that’s very, very difficult. Law enforcement is going to have to rely on old fashioned investigative techniques. Looking at surveillance cameras, interviewing witnesses,” he said.
The circumstances around how the truck’s door opened remain unclear, raising questions about whether it was a simple oversight or a more coordinated effort. There is, of course, no evidence of a heist, but as some joked online, you can’t entirely rule it out.
Brinks confirmed the incident but has not said whether the driver will face disciplinary action or offered any further comment.
In a statement, the company said: “In general, and in the interest of the safety of our employees and others who may be affected on matters concerning law enforcement, we do not comment and recommend that you approach the relevant law enforcement agencies for further background on the incident.”
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