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Cash flies out of car, causing traffic jam in Vernon Hills
Police recovered $312 near Port Clinton Road and Route 45 in Vernon Hills after dollar bills were seen coming from a passing car on Monday morning. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 12, 2013 5:21PM
VERNON HILLS — Vernon Hills police believe a banking mishap caused an unknown amount of cash to swirl about a busy intersection during rush hour Monday evening.
A traffic jam occurred when people stopped and dashed out of their cars to collect the $100 and $10 bills, police said.
The traffic jam happened at approximately 5:30 p.m. near Port Clinton and Route 45 in Vernon Hills. No accidents occurred and no one was injured as a result, police said.
In addition, no one reported any burglaries, thefts or muggings in Vernon Hills over the weekend or on Monday, police spokeswoman Sharon Joseph said.
“We can only speculate that either someone did this on purpose or perhaps had left a bank deposit on the roof of their car which then opened up,” Joseph said.
Police later recovered $312, but it’s unknown how much cash was picked up by other drivers. After authorities investigated the recovered bills, the money doesn’t appear to be stolen or fake.
“No one has claimed losing the money at this time, but we’re cautioning people who picked up the money that they can be charged with theft of lost or mislaid property if they don’t turn in the money and wait the required time before claiming it,” Joseph said.
Illinois law requires citizens to return lost property and wait 180 days for the rightful owner to claim the property. After that time, the finder can keep the money, Joseph said.
As for the $312 police collected, Joseph said the village would retain the money after 180 days if unclaimed.~.
