STRATEGIC PARTNERS
December 18, 2002
PHILADELPHIA -- Willie and Tawanda Anderson on Dec. 17 werecleared of taking money and running after they used a malfunctioning ATM at an H&R Block Tax Preparation Office last February.
The couple admitted to spending some of the extra bills the machine spit out, but insist they returned all the rest. A judge agreed, finding them not guilty of theft charges.
The machine was supposed to dispense $2,200, the amount owed to the Andersons as a tax refund. Instead of dispensing $2,200, the machine spit out $100 bills until an employee shut off the power, $72,000 later. Police said the Andersons grabbed wads of bills and took off with them.
Willie Anderson told Philadelphia's WPVI News, "Honestly I thought it was mine. I said, 'Hey look. Finders keepers, it came out the machine. It's mine.' "
They took the money to a relative's house and Willie Anderson went shopping, spending about $700 on himself, family and friends, according to WPVI.
When police contacted them, Willie Anderson initially denied having the money because the struggling father of 4 tried to rationalize keeping it. "It was their mistake. I didn't go in there, mess with that machine, kick it, bang on it or rewire it to make it give me that money."
Tawanda Anderson insisted that they return the money. But authorities alleged $20,000 was still missing and charged the couple with theft and conspiracy. "We turned over all that we had, every dime," Tawanda Anderson said.
