Mahwah PD: Stolen Rig Stopped On Route 287 Contained $9,000 Cash

MAHWAH, N.J. – A trucker stopped by a Mahwah police officer before dawn Tuesday was driving a rig whose tractor and trailer were reported stolen out of separate states -- and carrying $9,000 in bundled cash, authorities said.

Charles Edward Morton
Photo Credit: *MUGSHOT: Courtesy MAHWAH PD*

Jerry DeMarco

07/11/2017 6:13 p.m.

Officer Tyler Boucher pulled over Charles Edward Morton, 62, of Detroit, for careless driving on northbound Route 287 just before 12:30 a.m., Police Chief James N. Batelli told Daily Voice.

Morton provided paperwork and gave the officer information that proved false when a computer check showed the tractor reported stolen out of Akron, Ohio, and trailer swiped in Mechanicsburg, PA, the chief said.

Boucher, joined by Officer Jonathan Lange, arrested Morton.

Inside the rig they found the cash “wrapped and packaged in a manner consistent with bundling and transporting money used in criminal activity,” Batelli said.

It was seized pending a civil forfeiture court hearing.

Morton was charged with two counts of possessing stolen property, along with tampering with public records.

He also received summonses for careless driver, improper display of license plates and failing to have necessary vehicle documents before being released pending a court hearing.

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