Belgians urged to return stolen cash that was thrown from getaway car

Police are urging people from a small town in Belgium to return tens of thousands of euros in cash that were thrown out of a speeding car by thieves attempting to make a getaway.

The incident occurred in the Flemish town of Zedelgem after the thieves stole a safe from a nearby house. The thieves threw the safe out of the car to distract police officers. It broke open and passers-by grabbed 50, 100 and 200-euro notes that were scattered.

The thieves are still on the run. One man said he had picked up two rolls of 5,000 euros only to have a police officer grab them 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.