Almost $1 million dropped on side of road during car chase, police say

Walkie-talkies used by divers to communicate during pursuit, according to officials

Officers say ditched boxes contained about $915,000 cash (California Highway Patrol Merced/ Facebook)

Nearly one million dollars in cash was dropped on the side of the road during a police car chase in Merced County,​ California, officials said.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a driver dropped the two cardboard boxes full of money during a high-speed chase down one of the state’s highways. according to The Merced Sun Star.

The CHP alleged that the money was intended to be used for the purchase of marijuana in northern California.

“Merced Communications Centre received several 911 calls regarding the cardboard boxes that were dropped off on the shoulder,” CHP Merced said in a post on Facebook.

“Officers retrieved the cardboard boxes and located US currency estimated to be $915,000.”

At around 6.30pm on Friday an officer, who was travelling with his K-9 ‘Beny’, tried to enforce a stop on one of three SUVs that appeared to be moving together northbound, police said, according to the report.

After the SUV reportedly tried to flee a chase ensued during which one of the vehicles, a black Ford Expedition, reportedly attempted to block the officer’s car.

However, the officer out-maneuvered the vehicle and continued to pursue the original car, a Chevrolet Suburban.

“At one point during the pursuit, the driver of the Chevrolet Suburban stopped on the right shoulder, exited the vehicle and dropped two cardboard boxes off before returning to the vehicle and continuing to flee,” police wrote.

Police later claimed that the cars were using walkie talkies to communicate during the pursuit.

“Shortly after dropping the boxes on the shoulder, the driver of the Chevrolet Suburban stopped his vehicle and surrendered,” police said.

While the officer was taking the surrendered driver into custody one of the other vehicles, a black Chevrolet Tahoe, stopped in traffic where he was then arrested.

Authorities said the driver of the Ford managed to escape the pursuit and has not been located.

According to the CHP, K-9 Beny was the one who alerted officers to the odour of narcotics on the currency.

“K-9 Beny usually gets all the glory in these types of incidents but it is his handler that really deserves the credit this time. What an amazing team! Great job!,” CHP Merced wrote.

Drivers Frank Capraro, 23, and Desmond McDay, 25, who are both of New York, were arrested Friday according to the Sun Star and felony charges are pending.​