Erie County deputies find $87K under illegal immigrant's car


Published: Wednesday, October 17, 2012

By Morning Journal Staff

BELLEVUE OH — Erie County deputies found more than $87,000 under the driver’s seat of a car driven by a suspected illegal immigrant after a routine traffic stop Sunday afternoon.

Marcial Lopez, 40, was stopped about 1 p.m. near SR 4 in Bellevue for a marked lanes violation after officers observed both tires cross the white fog line.

According to a report, Lopez told the officer he was coming from a friend’s house in Michigan and said he stayed the night.

Officers asked Lopez to get out of the car and asked him if he was carrying anything illegal they should know about.

He replied, “No” but would not hold eye contact and could not stand still. However, when asked about money, Lopez told police he had a “good amount” stashed in his vehicle, the report stated.

Officers uncovered white plastic bag containing $87,155 from the underneath the driver seat.

Lopez said he picked it up the money in Michigan for a friend who buys vehicles, according to the report.

Lopez was arrested and turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol after he advised police he was an illegal immigrant for the past 10 years. Border Patrol interviewed Lopez and said his status is pending.

Erie County deputies find $87K under illegal immigrant's car - morningjournal.com