A MAN who stumbled across $420,000 in a St Albans carpark could be smiling from ear-to-ear if his giant cash find is not claimed soon.
The anonymous man, who was literally shaking when he handed a bag full of cash into police last week, will be able to keep the prize if it’s not claimed within three months.
While his friends might be cursing him this week for being so honest, the man has been praised by police for handing in his find at the Craigieburn police station last week.
The name of the street in which it was reportedly discovered has not been released by police. However, detectives have started forensic testing on the cash and bag it was found in as part of their investigations.
“I’ve never seen anything like it – I’ve never even thought of having that much cash in my sights,” a Craigieburn police source said.
Detectives from Keilor Downs police station are now looking after the investigation and are calling for the owner or anyone with information about the cash to come forward.
“Because there is a substantial amount of money here, there will be quite an intensive investigation into finding out the owner of the money,” Senior Constable Carla Coslovich told Star last week.
“It will be banked in a bank to ensure its safety and there will be certain protocols and procedures where we account for the money.”
Sen Const Coslovich said that there would be an extensive search for the rightful owner of the cash, but if it was not claimed within 12 weeks, the man who found it could then claim the money himself.
“If you hand something in and noone claims the money and we can’t confirm the identity of the owner, you will receive a phone call from the police saying that you can come and collect it,” Sen Const Coslovich said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Keilor Downs Criminal Investigation Unit on 9365 3346 or CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
