ATM Thief Throws Thousands of Dollars From SUV During Police Chase as Officers Give Chase
A Texas police chase took an unusual turn when a driver accused of involvement in suspicious ATM activity began throwing thousands of dollars from a moving pickup truck, with police dashcam video capturing the cash flying onto the road.
The incident happened around 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, in Pearland, Texas, after officers were called to a bank over reports of a masked man making multiple ATM transactions with several cards and withdrawing large amounts of cash.
Police Track Down Suspects After ATM Activity
According to the Pearland Police Department, the man left the bank in the passenger seat of a white GMC Sierra. A department drone and a Crime Reduction Unit officer later located the truck in a business parking lot in the 2500 block of Smith Ranch Road.
The passenger got out and was detained by police. The driver, remained in the truck and fled when officers attempted to stop him, sparking a police chase.
Police said the driver began throwing large amounts of cash from the window. Newly released dashcam footage shows bills scattering from the moving truck as officers followed.
The pursuit continued north on Smith Ranch Road, east on McHard Road and then north into the 1600 block of Max Road, where the truck stopped. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop and took the driver into custody without further incident.
More Than $6,000 Recovered
Police recovered more than $6,000 in cash that had been thrown from the vehicle.
The driver was identified as Levon Steven Jr., of Florida. He was charged with evading arrest and tampering with evidence. The passenger, Tarvares Givens, also of Florida, was charged with failure to identify.
Both men were being held at the Brazoria County Jail in the latest reports available Friday, Sept. 25. Detectives were continuing to investigate the suspected ATM activity and were considering additional fraud-related charges.
The department’s investigation is ongoing, and the men face charges that are separate from any potential additional fraud allegations.
The men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
