• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

$290,000 Found Hidden in Car Upholstery

December 18, 2015 By Nadeem Muaddi

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Money in Car Seat

I’ve found a lot of weird and gross things in car seats – chewed bubblegum, diapers, a dead mouse, even drugs – but never $290,000. However, that’s exactly what one Texas cop recently found.

Fayette County Police Sgt. Randy Thumann flagged down a Honda Odyssey for a routine traffic stop, reported local KFLY News. Suspecting something was amiss, he asked the driver for permission to search the vehicle. After the driver consented, Thumann called in his K-9 Lobos who took noticeable interest in the van’s seats.

With probable cause, Thumann cut open the seats’ upholstery, where he found more than a quarter million dollars hidden inside.

Of course, possession of a large sum of money isn’t a crime. But after some interrogation, the driver was arrested and charged with money laundering — which is, in fact, illegal.

The criminal now sits in Fayette County Jail, where he awaits trial.

Share your story: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever found in a car seat? Tell us in the comments section below.

Filed Under: Archive, Crime Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dan mcpherson says

    December 18, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    We found 58 .000 one day in a ford van . Gave it to the police .

  2. Carla St Louis says

    December 18, 2015 at 11:55 pm

    Wow!! Ive found a hundred dollar bill wrapped up in a napkin once and another time a diamond ring that I gave back to the customer..their happiness was worth a million

    • Nadeem Muaddi says

      December 21, 2015 at 6:38 pm

      You’re a good person for that. Not a lot of folks would do the same.

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Keyston Bros
  • Albright's Supply
  • Hyde Leather
  • MasterTech Expo 2026

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - 1969 Chevrolet Camaro - JNG Creations

JNG Creations’ Custom 1969 Camaro

Jean-Noël Greffeuille of JNG Creations in … [more] about JNG Creations’ Custom 1969 Camaro

Start Charging What You’re Worth

It’s time to stop preparing estimates with … [more] about Start Charging What You’re Worth

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Stitches Fine Automotive Interiors

Junk in the Trunk: Don’t Hide It, Disguise It!

Upholstering a vehicle’s trunk can be … [more] about Junk in the Trunk: Don’t Hide It, Disguise It!

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Trim Den

Shop Profile: Kaze Williams of Trim Den

To run a successful auto upholstery shop, you … [more] about Shop Profile: Kaze Williams of Trim Den

The Hog Ring - Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren Ralphie Marusic

Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren ‘Ralphie’ Marusic

We interview a lot of master craftsmen, but … [more] about Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren ‘Ralphie’ Marusic

The Problem With DIY Upholstery

Ever have a customer come to your shop with a … [more] about The Problem With DIY Upholstery

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Keyston Bros Drops 10 New Carbon Fiber Vinyl Colors and They Pop
  • Trimmer Michael Andrew Piccolo Dies at 67
  • 2026 SEMA Show Registration Opens May 4
  • Nexus Fastening Co. Introduces Solid Gold Hog Rings for Luxury Cars
  • Everything We Covered in March 2026

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in