Officials with the Dunwoody Police Department said the side door opened around 8 p.m., according to WSB. The loss is estimated to be around $175,000, Dunwoody Sgt. Robert Parsons told WSB.
Typically, a spill on an interstate would stop traffic for a few hours. This time, drivers stopped willingly. Video uploaded to Reddit showed at least half a dozen cars stopped on the shoulder as drivers grabbed at the flying bills.
Officials have since posted a plea on Facebook for people who stopped to pick up the bills in the “isolated cash storm” to return the money.
"While we certainly understand the temptation, it’s still theft and the money should be returned," the department said in a Facebook post Wednesday morning. "We are thankful there were no crashes or pedestrians struck as a result of this isolated cash storm."
"They can come into the Dunwoody Police Department 24/7," Parsons said in an email to AJC.com. "We will not arrest or charge anyone who does the right thing."
It looks like the DPD kept its word because on Wednesday afternoon, they posted a photo showing a good Samaritan who returned the money. WSB reported the man named Randall Lewis returned more than $2,000.
"Shout out to my mom and dad," Lewis said. "They trained me really well."
"We understand it was a bizarre occurrence, but do the right thing and return the money," the department said in the Facebook post.
WSB reported that police said about six people returned more than $4,400 as of Thursday morning. Parsons said police have other means of catching those who may have picked up bills but have yet to return them.
"Those people who do not return the money, we have video, we have tag numbers," Parsons said. "We have footage of people on the interstate. What we're asking the public to do is bring the money back. Don't make us come looking for you, because if we do that, you probably will be charged."
For anyone hoping to find a few missed bills on the interstate, the department said not to bother.
"We have received reports off and on all day about cars blocking the roadway searching for money on I-285. THERE IS NO MORE MONEY! Please stop. Many thanks."
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