Police call for return of ‘raining’ robbery cash

Police are urging people from a small town in Flanders to return tens of thousands of euros in cash that was thrown out of a speeding car by thieves attempting to make a getaway, the BBC’s Matthew Price reports. The incident occurred in the town of Zedelgem, West Flanders, after the thieves stole a safe from a nearby house. The thieves threw the safe out of the car to distract police. It broke open and passers-by grabbed €50, €100 and €200 notes that were scattered. The thieves are still on the run. One man said he had picked up two rolls of €5,000 each only to have a police officer grab it back; another said it was as if it was “raining money”. The local prosecutor says it was “self-service” as passers-by filled their pockets with the scattered cash. While some have returned the money, a considerable sum is yet to be recovered. Anyone keeping the cash could face up to two years in jail, officials say.