MICHIGAN CITY — Several hundred dollars were still missing today after strong wind gusts blew some cash from an ATM in Michigan City.
Just before 3 p.m. Wednesday, police said, a worker pulled up to service the ATM outside Chase Bank along U.S. 421 just south of U.S. 20. The serviceman, employed by Garda Cash Logistics of South Bend, told officers that just as he was opening the ATM’s deposit drawer inside the opened machine, the wind blew. Money then started blowing out of the drawer and into the parking lot, police said.
The serviceman and a co-worker tried to retrieve the money as strong winds continued to blow. Several bystanders then came over, grabbing handfuls of cash and giving it back to the ATM servicemen.
Responding officers also got involved by chasing bills that flew and tumbled in the wind. Police also kept busy tracking down several people who possibly made off with some of the cash.
Police said all of the people suspected of picking up the money were released no money was found in their possession.
Two men — one wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt and the other a red baseball cap — were seen running toward the back of the ATM truck then away from the truck, police said. They have not been found. Police noted the two men were not seen with any cash, but their arms were folded as if they were holding some of the money as they ran from the scene.
How much cash was inside the ATM is not being disclosed, according to Michigan City Police Chief Mark Swistek.
''A majority of it was recovered,'' he added.
Swistek credited a fast response from his officers and their diligence in chasing down wind-blown bills for limiting the amount of money that was lost.
Police hope surveillance video will shed light on any individuals who made off with some of the cash.
''It's an alive case that's still being investigated,'' said Michigan City Police Detective Bureau Commander Cary Brinkman.
Just before 3 p.m. Wednesday, police said, a worker pulled up to service the ATM outside Chase Bank along U.S. 421 just south of U.S. 20. The serviceman, employed by Garda Cash Logistics of South Bend, told officers that just as he was opening the ATM’s deposit drawer inside the opened machine, the wind blew. Money then started blowing out of the drawer and into the parking lot, police said.
The serviceman and a co-worker tried to retrieve the money as strong winds continued to blow. Several bystanders then came over, grabbing handfuls of cash and giving it back to the ATM servicemen.
Responding officers also got involved by chasing bills that flew and tumbled in the wind. Police also kept busy tracking down several people who possibly made off with some of the cash.
Police said all of the people suspected of picking up the money were released no money was found in their possession.
Two men — one wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt and the other a red baseball cap — were seen running toward the back of the ATM truck then away from the truck, police said. They have not been found. Police noted the two men were not seen with any cash, but their arms were folded as if they were holding some of the money as they ran from the scene.
How much cash was inside the ATM is not being disclosed, according to Michigan City Police Chief Mark Swistek.
''A majority of it was recovered,'' he added.
Swistek credited a fast response from his officers and their diligence in chasing down wind-blown bills for limiting the amount of money that was lost.
Police hope surveillance video will shed light on any individuals who made off with some of the cash.
''It's an alive case that's still being investigated,'' said Michigan City Police Detective Bureau Commander Cary Brinkman.
