NJ Police Arrest Suspect In Theft Of ATM Bag With $150,000 Left On Curb

MAHWAH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in New Jersey have arrested one man and are searching for another who allegedly swiped a bag containing about $150,000 that was accidentally left behind by an employee of an ATM company.

Surveillance video shows a worker for ATMForUs.com placing the bag down next to his car on Industrial Avenue on Monday before driving off. The man, who was accompanied by another employee, was rearranging items in his trunk just before leaving his office to replenish ATMs and forgot the bag on the ground, police said.

Soon after, a white GMC Savana van pulled up, a passenger stepped out, grabbed the bag and jumped back in before the vehicle drove off, the video shows.

Police said there were two men in the van. They were seen earlier taking used tires that had been disposed of in dumpsters at car dealerships and repair shops.

Cops tracked the van to an individual in Irvington and began surveillance. They don't believe the owner of the van was aware the vehicle was involved in the crime, police said.

But police, however, noticed a Chevrolet Tahoe with temporary tags and found records showing it had been purchased later on the same day the bag of cash was taken, authorities said. The vehicle had custom rims, WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported.

Surveillance on that vehicle led police to arrest Alton Harvey, 42, of Hillside.

Harvey admitted he was the driver of the van and told detectives the Tahoe was bought with cash taken from the satchel, police said.

He has been charged with theft of mislaid property and is being held on $125,000 bail.

Harvey has an extensive criminal history of 10 felony convictions, including arrests for weapons and narcotics offenses, escape and resisting arrest, police said.

Cops said they believe the passenger in the van was Jamar Bludson, 35, of Newark. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. He is also wanted on a probation violation.

"This comes down to the issue of doing what is right and if you find something -- now whether the value is $150,000 or $100 -- somebody lost that item, that money," police Chief James Batelli said.

Police ruled out the employees of the ATM company as suspects earlier this week.

The ATM worker who forgot the bag was distraught and began to hyperventilate after he realized his mistake, authorities said.