$150K stolen after ATM workers accidentally leave bag behind

MAHWAH, N.J. -- A satchel containing $150,000 in cash is missing after employees who deliver money to ATM machines accidentally left it on a front lawn in Mahwah, New Jersey, police said Monday.

According to police, two ATM cash delivery employees stopped at a customer's site on Industrial Avenue late Monday morning. One employee, who normally rides in the back of the vehicle, placed a satchel full of money on the lawn while moving items around inside the vehicle. The driver reportedly believed all was in order when they left for the next stop, and neither employee was aware the money was still on the lawn.

It wasn't until they were about 15 minutes away that the employee in the back of the van realized the satchel was not in the vehicle. The employees returned to their previous stop and discovered the satchel was missing.

Both employees of the ATM company were interviewed by investigators and are cooperating, police said.

Police said surveillance video shows a man in white van pulled up between 11:19 and 11:29 a.m. and took the cash. He then allegedly drove to a nearby auto repair business and took used tires from a fenced-in area, according to surveillance video.

Police describe the man as dark-skinned, wearing a T-shirt and long white athletic shorts with a dark stripe. They also believe the van is a white GMC Savana.

Anyone with additional information can contact Mahwah Detectives Michael Grassi or Eric Larsen at 201-529-1000, extension 216 or 217.