Police amazed $3500 lost in supermarket handed in

If you found a bank envelope containing $3500 cash, would you hand it to police?

An honest Whangarei Woolworths supermarket worker did.

Staff at Whangarei police station were amazed the cash was handed in.

And a visiting yachtie was delighted to have the money returned.

Property officer Amanda Beere was astonished to have the cash handed in.

"With all the doom and gloom it was amazing to have such a positive piece of news," Mrs Beere said.

"You would think there would be a temptation to keep it for some people, given the amount."

The money was left near a check-out at Whangarei's Woolworths last Wednesday. As soon as the staff member realised the money had been left behind she contacted the store manager.

A quick search of the shop and the carpark by staff failed to find the owner.

Store manager Tim Harris said the cash was taken to the police straight away.

"The staff member was really surprised to find it and said if it was her money that was lost, she'd want someone to hand it in," Mr Harris said.

About 2pm the same day, an upset woman contacted Whangarei police.

The woman, known only as Sue, had visited Whangarei from Opua to stock up on items for her yacht before leaving for Vanuatu. Her friend had told her not to bother notifying police because her money would be long gone, but she contacted police anyway.

"She called to report it lost and was heartbroken that she would never see it again. When I told her it had been handed in you can imagine her relief and disbelief," Mrs Beere said.

It's not the first display of honesty from a Whangarei resident when it comes to handing in large sums of money. Last year $1000 cash was handed in to the station. The owner never reported it missing and the money was given back to the finder.

On Monday, another honest person had handed in $100.

Mrs Beere does not underestimate the honesty of the public, the majority of whom do not adopt a "finders keepers" policy. "The general perception out there is if you lose it, it's gone for good.

"But there are so many honest people out there."

- APN