Crime & Safety

Armored Van Loses Cash on Route 19

Many people were grabbing handfuls of cash. Would you have returned the money? Vote in our poll.

Did you find a few extra dollar bills blowing in the wind near Route 19? Don’t worry, we won’t tell.

Shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday, bags of cash came flying out of the back of an armored courier van transporting money from bank to bank in Upper St. Clair.

A passing motorist alerted two employees inside the vehicle that the van's rear door was open and contents were falling from the vehicle. But the warning was too late.

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A crowd had even congregated near the intersection of Route 19 and Boyce Road where the money rained down onto the roadway. Many of the people were grabbing the cash and taking off.

"Unfortunately only $400 was retrieved out of a significant amount of money," Upper St. Clair police Lt. James Englert said. "We're talking well into six figures."

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Upper St. Clair police are now working to retrieve the lost cash, which WPXI-TV reported could be as high as $200,000. They would like anyone who observed anything to call and provide information. And for those who took the cash, they would like them to return the money.

"Technically this is a theft, but under these circumstances we are willing to give people the benefit of the doubt," Englert said. "This was a very confusing situation. It's not everyday you have U.S. currency swirling in the wind ahead of you."

are now working to retrieve money "well into the six figures" and have received phone calls from several witnesses.

Officers are searching for two white males that were in a white Dodge Dakota pickup truck that are believed to have made off with some of the cash down Route 19 south. Police have a partial license plate, which they are not releasing.

Police said it's not too late for the men, or any other person who may have pocketed the money, to return the cash to the police department.

Those who can help are asked to call the at 412-833-7500.

This story originally appeared on Upper St. Clair Patch


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