Young Man Immediately Calls Police Without Hesitation After Finding $135K At ATM

People rarely come upon cash lying around without an owner, and even when they do, the sums are typically not very substantial. Many people who find money must choose between keeping it and attempting to return it to its proper owner. There is less remorse in taking the money when it is a small sum, like a dollar or two. However, when it comes to higher sums, people must pause and consider their options.

On Sunday, May 8th, Jose Nuez Romaniz of Albuquerque, New Mexico, visited an ATM two minutes from his home and discovered a sizable sum of unaccounted money—$135,000 to be exact—there. Nuez had intended to simply deposit some cash so that his grandfather could purchase socks online, but he was forced to make a significant choice when he saw a sizable bag of cash that had been left unattended next to the ATM he had just arrived at.

In order to help his grandfather buy some socks online after they were unable to find the correct ones in any stores, CNN reports that 19-year-old Nuez was merely on his way to the neighborhood ATM on a Sunday. Outside a Wells Fargo bank, Nuez had parked his truck and was making his way to the ATM when he noticed a clear plastic bag containing several stacks of cash.

Anyone else in this situation could have believed it to be their lucky day and taken the money with them. After all, the sum is so substantial that it will practically change your life. Nuez, however, felt bound to act morally.

In the back of my mind, I was worried about my parents, especially my mom, Nuez told KOAT Action 7 News.

CNN was also informed by Nuez:

“I was at a loss for what to do. I felt like I was dreaming. I was merely shocked. What should I do, I was asking myself as I was looking in the mirror.”

Numerous considerations reportedly played a role in Nuez’s decision over what to do with the money, according to his interview. A “foot-long stack” of $20 and $50 bills were inside the bag. Nuez told CNN he was thinking of his mother when he decided to call the neighborhood police station rather than keep the money for himself:

“In the back of my head, I could hear my mother’s voice and her “chancla.” My parents have instilled in me a strong work ethic. Money that was stolen will never last you very long.”

The phrase “la chancla” alludes to the humorous yet real threat that parents will whack their kids with a flip-flop if they don’t behave themselves. Nuez called the Albuquerque police to hand over the money while keeping his parents’ advice in mind.

When the cash arrived at the police station, it was counted and discovered that the sum in the bag was an astounding $135,000. Officer Simon Drobik came to the conclusion that a bank subcontractor in charge of restocking the ATM must have made a mistake and left the money there. Deputy Drobik stated to CNN:

If he had taken the other course, this money “might have made a huge amount of difference in his life, but he picked… the integrity course and did the right thing.”

Nuez didn’t get to take home $135,000, but he still came away with something. Nuez, a 19-year-old community college student hoping to major in criminal justice, was encouraged to apply for a position as a public safety officer by the Alberquerque police department because he is too young to work as a full-time police officer.

Additionally, according to CNN, Nuez received three $500 gift cards from nearby companies as well as a $100 gift card from a restaurant. For his good deed, Albuquerque ESPN Radio 101.7 FM also gave him sports memorabilia, including a football that Brian Urlacher, a former NFL player who was selected out of the University of New Mexico, had autographed. Additionally, six UNM football season tickets were included with this gift.

Nuez told CNN what he did after disclosing the money:

After returning home, I completed my online shopping.

He immediately contacted Nuez’s mother on that Sunday after his visit at the police station. His mother, who had relocated to the United States from Mexico in the 1990s, was incredibly proud of Nuez.

Nuez noted that his parents instilled valuable moral principles in him; ultimately, this is what motivated him to act morally. He was aware of how crucial it would be to give back the items he had found.

He stated that his mum was extremely moved by doing the right thing:

“She assured me I made the correct decision and expressed her pride in me. She called and nearly broke down in tears.”

Source: apost.com