Mahwah police arrest man in theft of bag forgotten by ATM workers

Using surveillance video, police tracked down a white van that was seen pulling up to the business where the bag of cash was accidentally left on Monday, The Associated Press reported.

Police say they’ve arrested one of two men who they say made off with a bag containing $150,000 in cash after two employees filling ATMs left it on a northern New Jersey lawn.

According to local reports and accompanying security camera video, the two routemen stopped at an industrial park in Mahwah, NJ, to service an independent ATM, leaving the bag full of cash on the front lawn.

Police have also identified Jamar Bludson, 35, of Newark, as the passenger in the van who grabbed the satchel.

Harvey told police he had been driving the van and said he bought a Chevrolet Tahoe, which had a sticker price of $46,000, with cash from the bag, the news organization said.

The video shows the passenger in the van picking up the bag of money, the AP said.

The ATM workers realized their mistake about 15 minutes later and drove back to look for the money; they are not considered suspects in the case, according to police. Harvey allegedly used the money to purchase a Chevy Tahoe SUV on the same day the theft occurred, said Chief James Batelli. The footage was not clear enough to read the vehicle registration or identify the occupants, but police were able to make an arrest after searching a license plate database and locating the van in Irvington.

Harvey is being held on $125,000 bail, charged with theft of mislaid property.

Police quickly ruled out the ATM employees as suspects and concentrated on finding the van. State court records show he has pleaded guilty in Essex County over the years to charges including having a prohibited weapon, assault, theft, obstructing a government operation and two narcotics offenses. Both men have been charged with theft of mislaid property while Bludson is also wanted on an outstanding warrant, Batelli said. Anyone with information may call the Mahwah police at 201-529-1000.