Man Buys Car With $150K Left By ATM Worker, Now Faces Long Stint In Prison


A New Jersey man bought a car with $150,000 accidentally left by an ATM worker, part of what an alleged crime spree that could land him behind bars for a long time.

Alton Harvey was arrested this week after police tracked a white van that was spotted at the scene of a bizarre crime. Police say the man found $150,000 after it was mistakenly left there by ATM workers, KSL reported. Police reportedly found video showing a passenger in the van snatching the bag full of cash, and the van was later seen near an auto repair business where the passengers allegedly stole used tires.

The $150,000 didn’t last long. Alton Harvey allegedly told police that he used the cash to buy a Chevrolet Tahoe, which has a sticker price of $46,000. Police found the SUV parked next near the van they were searching for.

Police say they are still searching for another man, Jamar A. Bludson. They said he is also wanted on a probation violation and have called on local residents to help give any tips to his whereabouts.

Police believe the men were driving around looking for discarded tires, which they intended to re-sell, when they found the bag filled with $10 and $20 bills. The ATM workers realized after about 15 minutes that they had accidentally left the bag behind, but by then it was already too late.

As NorthJersey.com reported, police were able to locate the van thanks to a “laborious” search of license plate records. They narrowed down hundreds of potential vehicles to a van in Irvington, noting that the owner was not aware that Harvey and Bludson were using for theft.

“The chief said that the police investigation, overseen by Detective Lt. Guido Bussinelli, was able to connect Harvey to the van because he had been issued a summons while driving it in the past. Harvey also had placed his name on the Chevrolet Tahoe, which was parked not far from the van in Irvington, Batelli said, and ‘admitted his role as the driver of the van and also informed detectives that the Tahoe was purchased with cash taken from the satchel.'”

Harvey is well known to police. He has 10 felony convictions, including weapons and narcotics arrests.

The New Jersey man faces a charges of theft of mislaid property for allegedly using $150,000 left by an ATM worker to buy a car. He is being held on $125,000 bail.

[Picture from Mahwah Police Department]

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