In downtown Los Angeles, police chased four suspected bank robbers in a pursuit that ended with the suspects tossing money out the window. The lure of money caused people to line the streets looking for cash, creating an obstacle for police. NBC's Natalie Morales reports.
By Patrick Healy, NBCLosAngeles.com
Hundreds of people swarmed the streets in South Los Angeles Wednesday afternoon when suspected bank robbers led police on a pursuit while tossing wads of cash out the window of their getaway car.
"There were mothers leaving their kids and they were just grabbing the money, and there was just money in the air," said resident Sal Reyes. "It was just everywhere."
Many in the crowd took it as an opportunity to scoop up the loose bills, but Reyes says he was compelled to return the money he found.
He said he picked up the cash without initially knowing why it was on the ground. Someone explained to him that it was money from a bank robbery.
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Several residents described the alleged robbers as modern-day Robin Hood figures, taking from the rich to give to those in one of the area's less affluent neighborhoods. But there’s no indication that was the intent when three men in ski masks allegedly robbed a Santa Clarita Bank of America. A fourth man was in the getaway car.
Reyes said he had to return the loot.
"You have to give it back. You can’t just go spend money that’s not yours," he said.
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Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with crowds chanting, "We want money," and some gatherers dodging squad cars and climbing over vehicles caught in the melee.
"Everybody was just grabbing whatever they could," Reyes said.
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Police on Wednesday urged the public to return any bills they found, emphasizing that receiving stolen property can be considered a crime in itself.
But officials say the smaller bills – those in denominations of one, five, 10 and even 20 – will likely go unnoticed and the bank’s insurance will pick up the tab.
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Police did not disclose the amount of money taken from the bank.
All four suspects have been arrested, including two who had bailed out of the getaway car.
Would you return stolen money tossed from a getaway car?
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