LEWISVILLE, Texas — A man who found a bag containing $128,514 on top of a Bank of America ATM turned over every dollar to police, who determined a technician had accidentally left the money behind, CBS News Texas reported.
The 37-year-old Lewisville barber and a 42-year-old woman were withdrawing money at an ATM on West Main Street on Aug. 3 when they discovered the cash and a smaller bag containing 19 checks, according to police reports cited by CBS.
The man, who asked not to be identified, called 911, police said. He also drove to a nearby Chick-fil-A because information on one of the bags suggested a connection to the restaurant. A manager told him the money did not belong to the business.
A bank receipt inside the cash bag listed its contents as $128,514 — exactly the amount police recovered.
An officer counted the money twice and verified the total with a digital currency counter before sealing it and placing it in the Lewisville Police Department’s property room, CBS reported.
Cash Left Behind During ATM Service
Investigators determined the money belonged to Bank of America and was being handled by its cash vendor, Brink’s. A technician servicing the ATM was supposed to take the funds but accidentally left them on top of the machine, according to police reports cited by CBS.
Police found no indication of criminal activity, and Bank of America has since recovered the money.
“The bag was just sitting there,” Detective Gina Miller said. “There was no indication of a crime occurring. It looked like it was just left there by accident.”
Brink’s declined to discuss the incident’s specifics, telling CBS it generally does not comment on law enforcement matters involving the safety of employees or others.
Police Plan To Recognize Finder
Lewisville police said they want to honor the man for returning the money.
“I’ve had cases where good Samaritans have turned in property that they found, wallets, IDs, things like that,” Miller said. “But in the case of $128,000, I’ve never had somebody turn in that kind of money before.”
Police Chief Brook Rollins said finding that much cash was rare, particularly when it was not connected to a crime. He said the incident also illustrated the importance of cooperation between police and residents.
“We are one half of the equation, the police; the other half is the community,” Rollins said.
‘The Right Thing to Do’
Asked why the man returned the money, Rollins said: “I just think he just thinks it’s the right thing to do and doesn’t think it goes beyond that.”
Miller said people who discover lost property must make an effort to return it or risk legal trouble.
The man declined to discuss the incident with CBS News Texas but said he would attend a private ceremony if police recognize him.
