A movie theater employee found several thousand dollars in cash while cleaning up after a screening of an animated classic.
The employee, who worked part-time at the college at the theater, found the money by chance in December 2006.
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It was between the seats in an envelope and apparently belonged to someone who had just seen Happy Feet at the theater in Long Island, New York, according to what the employee, 19-year-old Christopher Montgomery, said. United Press International (UPI) at the time.
Instead of pocketing the $24,000 in dollar bills inside the envelope and leaving without being seen, Montgomery immediately took the money to his supervisor.
“It’s not a big deal,” the college student said.
Montgomery’s decision to report the money was absolutely vital for its rightful owner, Rosemarie Limoncelli, 39, who accidentally lost the envelope while watching the film with her daughter.
Limoncelli, who owns and runs her own business, told the outlet that she placed the envelope in her purse and moved the purse under the seat to make room for her son next to her.
She suspected that was when the envelope slipped, but only made the stomach-churning discovery after they had already left.
SHOCK FOUND
After reaching into her purse to buy the couple some ice cream, Limoncelli realized that the envelope was nowhere to be found – $24,000 was missing.
“My heart stopped,” she recalled.
“My whole body was shaking.”
Fortunately for the company owner, Montgomery had already reported the incident and, after calling the theater, she got her money back safe and sound.
The college student declined a reward for his efforts, but Limoncelli insisted he at least accept a gift card from a nearby electronics store.
It is crucial to report lost money found anywhere, especially as an employee of any business or establishment such as movie theaters or major retailers.
GOOD ACTIONS RECOGNIZED
A Costco worker gained local fame in February of this year for handing over about $3,940 he found on a wooden pallet while refilling bottled water at a location in California.
Similar to Montgomery in 2006, employee John Sotelo immediately took the envelope of cash to his manager.
Rules for finding money
The saying “discoverers, keepers
Although state and local laws may differ slightly, most will require you to try to find the owner of the money.
If you do not make reasonable efforts to locate the owner, many states may charge you with burglary or theft of lost property.
The penalty will 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 classified as a felony rather than a misdemeanor.
The term reasonable efforts includes asking people nearby if they dropped any money, checking the envelope or wallet for an ID (if there is one), dropping it off at a nearby store, or contacting the police for a non-emergency line.
Some laws will authorize the police to return the money to the finder if no one claims it after a period of time.
Always check local and state laws, which will likely dictate what to do if you find property or money.
It is also advisable that you contact the police or a criminal defense lawyer who can help you understand what the law states and how you should proceed.
Source: Criminal Defense Lawyer
The pair were able to go back to the security camera footage and match the person who lost the money to their Costco ID.
She arrived quickly to pick up the funds, which Sotelo said were to pay for her son’s school fees.
To honor Sotelo’s good deed, Costco placed a sign with his name in the store and was honored with the title of employee of the month.
Others found larger quantities in other unexpected places.
A Wells Fargo customer found $135,000 in a bag next to an ATM earlier this year and immediately reported the missing money to police.
At least $100,000 was also discovered and handed over by a Burger King customer in March.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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