A MOVIE theater employee came across several thousand dollars in cash while cleaning after a showing of an animated classic.
The staffer, working his way through college part-time at the theater, found the money by chance in December 2006.
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It was in between the seats in an envelope and seemingly belonged to someone who had just seen Happy Feet at the theater in Long Island, New York, according to what the staff member, 19-year-old Christopher Montgomery, told United Press International (UPI) at the time.
Instead of pocketing the $24,000 in dollar bills inside the envelope and walking away sight unseen, Montgomery immediately took the money to his supervisor.
“It’s no big deal,” the college student said.
The move from Montgomery to report the cash 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 operates her own business, told the outlet she’d put the envelope in her purse and moved the purse under the seat to make room for her child next to her.
She suspected it was then that the envelope slid out, but she didn’t make the stomach-churning discovery until after they’d already left.
SHOCK FIND
After reaching into her purse to pay for some ice cream for the pair, Limoncelli realized the envelope was nowhere to be found — $24,000 gone.
“My heart stopped,” she recalled.
“My whole body was shaking.”
Fortunately for the business owner, Montgomery had already reported it, and after calling the theater, she got the money back safe and sound.
The college student refused a reward for his efforts, but Limoncelli insisted he at least accept a gift card to a nearby electronics store.
It’s crucial to report lost money found anywhere, especially as an employee of any business or establishment like movie theaters or prominent retailers.
GOOD DEEDS RECOGNIZED
A Costco worker gained local fame in February of this year for turning in about $3,940 he found on a wooden pallet while restocking bottled water at a location in California.
Similar to Montgomery in 2006, staff member John Sotelo immediately brought the envelope of money to his manager.
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
The pair were able to go back on security camera footage and match the person who lost the money to their Costco membership ID.
She arrived quickly to pick up the funds, which Sotelo said were for her child’s school payments.
To honor Sotelo’s good deed, Costco put up a plaque with his name on it in the store, and he was awarded the employee of the month title.
Others have found larger amounts in other unexpected places.
A Wells Fargo customer came across $135,000 in a bag next to an ATM earlier this year and immediately reported the lost cash to the police.
At least $100,000 was also discovered and turned in by a Burger King customer in March.
