Police Seize $64,499 From I-80 Driver's Igloo Cooler

NEW LENOX, IL - A nighttime traffic stop of a red, Chevy Silverado pickup truck with Texas license plates along Interstate 80 resulted in the discovery of $64,499 inside an Igloo cooler. The Will County State's Attorney's Office contends the cash was part of a money laundering scheme and that's why the money should be declared a forfeited asset for the police.

However, a review of the Will County court files as well as the Will County Jail logs does not show the filing of any criminal charges against the Texas man who had the money, Samuel Martinez.

According to the recent forfeiture complaint filed at the Will County Courthouse, the following sequence of events happened on Oct. 30 near Mile Marker 141:

Illinois State Police Trooper Harsy saw the Chevy truck with Texas license plates pass his squad car as it went eastbound on I-80. "The truck did not have mud flaps as required on second division vehicles. It should be noted the driver was hauling two bicycles which were in the bed of the truck," court records state.

The officer activated his squad car's emergency lights and pulled over the truck, driven by Samuel Martinez. "Martinez claimed he didn't speak English well, but provided valid insurance for the vehicle."

In time, Martinez agreed to step out of the truck and follow the Illinois State Police trooper back to the trooper's squad, where an online translator was used, court documents note.

Martinez told police he was headed to Calumet City to get some sleep.

"When asked why he was in Illinois, Martinez did not answer. Martinez claimed to be traveling from Texas and planned to drive back to Texas after his visit to Illinois," the forfeiture complaint reads.

Two Will County Sheriff's deputies also arrived at the traffic stop, Bartunek and Sovich, and one of them saw an open can of Budweiser Light on the passenger floorboard, court records show.

"Deputy Bartunek deployed his canine for a 'free air sniff' and Deputy Bartunek advised Trooper Harsy that a probable cause search could be conducted on the Chevrolet Silverado due to the indication by the canine for the presence of narcotics," the complaint states.

Interestingly, the forfeiture complaint makes no mention that any drugs were recovered by the Will County Sheriff's deputies and the Illinois State Police trooper, Harsy. However, the police did find a red plastic Igloo beverage container on the left rear passenger floorboard and that Igloo contained large bundles of U.S. cash, court records show.

"At that time, Trooper Harsy detained Samuel Martinez on suspicion that he was involved in criminal activity, based on the large amount of currency located in the cooler. A further search of the vehicle revealed several receipts from previous money transactions and five cell phones. Also located were toll receipts from roadways in Mexico and Illinois," the complaint states.

On Halloween, two members of the Illinois State Police went to the First Midwest Bank to deposit the money found in the Igloo. "The official count was $64,499," according to police.

Back in Lockport, at District 5 headquarters, Romeoville Police officer Gallardo served as a language translator for the interview with Martinez.

The suspect claimed that he lives with his wife and two children in a trailer near Dallas. "To support his family, Martinez transports various items to several different cities in the United States and Mexico ... Martinez advised bedroom sets, wheels for vehicles and various types of food and clothing. Martinez stated that random people contact him on his cell phone but (he) could not provide any specific names or addresses for these people," court documents note.

The forfeiture case is set for a court hearing on Feb. 13.

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