Box Full Of Cash Left By Driver-Suspect After Being Chased By Highway Patrol

A suspect was forced to drop two boxes filled with money after they were chased by a police officer in Merced County late Friday.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Eric Zuniga told the Merced Sun-Star that an officer was traveling with his K-9 “Beny” around 6:26 p.m. when he noticed three Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) that appeared to be traveling together.

The vehicles were spotted northbound of Interstate 5 near Highway 165, Zuniga added.

The officer, who apparently felt suspicious, decided to make an “enforcement stop” on a black 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. Instead of pulling over, the SUV attempted to flee, urging the officer the pursue.

The chase led both the officer and the Suburban southbound on Interstate 5 near Nees Avenue, then both vehicles went northbound and ended near the John Erreca Rest Area, the outlet added, citing a statement from the CHP.

While the officer was pursuing the Suburban, one of the three spotted vehicles – a black Ford Expedition – attempted to block the patrolman by straddling the lanes. Fortunately, the officer was able to out-maneuver the Expedition and went on to chase the Suburban.

It was on this stretch that the driver of the Chevrolet Suburban decided to make a stop on the right shoulder of the highway. He then exited the SUV and dropped two cardboard boxes on the road before returning to the vehicle and drove away from the officer.

Eventually, the driver stopped and surrendered to the authorities. Another driver manning the third SUV, a black Chevrolet Tahoe, stopped his vehicle. Both drivers were arrested, said the Merced Sun-Star.

CHP identified the arrested individuals as 23-year-old Frank Capraro and 25-year-old Desmond McDay.

Capraro was the driver of the Suburban, while McDay drove the Tahoe. Both are residents of Medford, New York.

“Merced Communications Center received several 911 calls regarding the cardboard boxes that were dropped off on the shoulder. Officers retrieved the cardboard boxes and located U.S. currency estimated to be $915,000,” police told Fox News.

Authorities also found walkie talkies inside the vehicles, while K-9 Beny alerted officers after sniffing the odor of narcotics in the money. Police later discovered that the suspects were traveling to Northern California with the intent to purchase marijuana.