Diver finds safe in Mon River
BROWNSVILLE – A man with the Mon Valley Dive Team came across an unusual object while scuba diving in the Monongahela River Saturday afternoon. A steel lock safe was pulled out of the river after the diver came across the object while practicing near the Brownsville Wharf around 4:30 p.m., according to state police trooper Thomas W. Hartley.
“It appears to be a small personal safe,” Hartley said, noting that the object was heavily rusted.
Hartley said the diver happened to “just came across” the safe and notified police after finding it.
The 15- by 9-inch safe weighs approximately 40 pounds and is 81/2-inches deep, he said.
As of Sunday, Hartley said police had yet to open the combination-lock safe and examine its contents.
The state police criminal investigative unit will open the safe and try to locate the owner, he said.
Hartley said he did not know how the long the safe had been submerged in the river, but said it’s probably been there for some time based on the amount of corrosion.
He said the safe appears not to have been opened.
Hartley said police will continue to investigate the incident and will try to locate a property owner, noting that it’s a possibility the safe was stolen.
Anyone with information regarding the safe is asked to call the Belle Vernon state police barracks at 724-929-6262.