A 21-year-old taxi driver in Prague has been arrested after allegedly taking a suitcase containing CZK 3.5 million in cash that passengers accidentally left in his car.
The money was recovered by police after the driver eventually admitted what he had done and told investigators where he had hidden it. He now faces up to five years in prison.
The incident happened in late July, although police only released details of the case several days later.
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The passengers were a married couple who had taken a taxi to Václav Havel Airport in the early morning. They were heading on vacation and only realized after reaching the airport that one of their suitcases was still in the vehicle.
The couple immediately contacted the driver and asked him to bring the suitcase back. According to police, he initially agreed, but the luggage never appeared despite further calls and reminders.
The couple eventually reported the matter to police. Given the amount of money involved, forensic specialists from the Prague 1 police precinct joined the investigation.
Investigators quickly located the taxi and detained the driver. A search of the vehicle, however, produced no suitcase.
The 21-year-old initially denied that the passengers had left anything behind, telling police that he had not found any luggage in the car.
His account later changed.
After being placed in a cell, the man confessed and revealed where he had hidden the cash. Police officers and forensic specialists then located the money in a forest near Kladno.
The investigation also uncovered an attempt to destroy evidence. Near the cash, investigators found the burned remains of the suitcase. Police say the driver had taken the items to the forest, piled them together and set them on fire.
The driver remains under investigation and could face a prison sentence of up to five years if convicted.
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