A COSTCO shopper found more than $400 stashed in an envelope - but she didn't take any of the money home.
Margie Walsh of California was told to keep the cash by her husband and even the original owner of the money, but was unable to do so.
1
She came across the money while shopping at a Costco store in San Jose in February 2008, per The Mercury News.
Walsh found the envelope near the fruit section.
The envelope was packed full of $20 bills and contained a total of $422.
There were receipts inside the envelope so Walsh went to a bank in Milpitas – around seven miles from San Jose – to try to find the owner.
read more on finding money
She said she felt bad for the person who lost the money.
It turned out the money belonged to Patrick Schmitz.
Schmitz withdrew $500 and went on a shopping trip that saw him head to Walmart and another grocer before traveling to Costco.
But he realized he didn’t have any money on him when he got to the front to check out.
Most read in The US Sun
BIG CHANGE Joe Biden slammed for decision to classify marijuana as less dangerous drug
FAMILY MATTERS Britney Spears secretly trying to patch up relationship with two sons
SPINE TINGLING Man who spent 28 years folded over double finally stands up straight
DEADLY DAY Convicted felon named as suspect in horror shooting that left 4 officers dead
“Oh yeah, I was upset! I freaked!” Schmitz told The Mercury News.
Schmitz had been rushing around the stores buying food for a barbecue.
My wife found her grandpa's old football photo sitting behind books on a shelf - but a key player makes it worth $25k
Walsh’s husband told her, “Finder’s Keepers” about stumbling upon the money, but she couldn’t stomach keeping it.
A bank worker helped track Schmitz down thanks to four numbers on one of the receipts inside the envelope.
Schmitz offered Walsh all of the money as a reward for finding it but she still couldn’t bring herself to accept it.
"Here, take it," he said as he tried to hand over the envelope.
She turned down the money instead.
This isn't the first case of someone finding money and not being able to keep it.
Last year, John Sotelo, a Costco worker in California, found almost $4,000 in an envelope on a pallet.
Rules on finding money
The saying "finders, keepers
While state and local laws may differ slightly, the majority will require you to attempt to find the owner of the money.
If you fail to make reasonable efforts to track down the owner, many states can charge you with theft or larceny of lost property.
The penalty will most likely be based on the value of the lost property as larger finds that are kept without making reasonable efforts to find the owner may be classed as a felony rather than a misdemeanor.
The term reasonable efforts includes asking people nearby if they dropped any cash, checking the envelope or wallet (if there is one) for an ID, handing it into a nearby store, or contacting the police on a non-emergency line.
Some laws will authorize the police to return the money to the finder if no one has claimed it after a period of time.
Always check your local and state laws which will most likely outline what to do if you find property or cash.
It is also advised that you contact the police or a criminal defense lawyer who can assist in what the laws state and how you should proceed.
Source:Criminal Defense Lawyer
But he couldn’t keep the cash as he reported the find to his manager.
Workers returned the money to the owner thanks to their membership card.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND MONEY
Legal experts have offered guidance on what Americans should do if they find money.
Those who find a wallet should make reasonable efforts to contact the owner, per Criminal Defense Lawyer.
Bank cards, a driver’s license, and other forms of ID can provide useful clues.
Read More on The US Sun
Americans who find money can call the cops who may help find the owner of the money.
Experts have warned that in some states those who find and keep money without taking reasonable steps to find the owner could face felony charges.
