Close Ad

Teen Finds $135,000 Sitting in a Bag Next to ATM - What He Did After Is A Reminder To All Parents
Teen Finds $135,000 Sitting in a Bag Next to ATM - What He Did After Is A Reminder For All Parents
Uplifting News

Teen Finds $135,000 Sitting in a Bag Next to ATM - What He Did After Is A Reminder To All Parents

When one 19-year-old boy stumbled upon a bag containing $135,000, he did something astonishing - earning him some fame in New Mexico.

Jose Nuñez Romaniz, a criminal justice student, visited an ATM after trying to buy some socks for his grandfather and realizing he was low on cash.

When Jose got to the ATM to make a deposit, he made a wild discovery. Next to the machine was a bag filled with cash. It turns out the bag contained $135,000!


Stumbled into something big

At first, Jose didn't know what it all meant or what actions he should take. “When I first saw it, I kind of stared at it for a few seconds, not knowing what to do,” Jose told the New York Times.

I was very shocked. I’ve never seen so much money.

Jose Nuñez Romaniz

He wasn’t sure if he had stumbled upon a crime scene and was now in trouble, or would become a hostage, or if it was some sort of mistake. Thinking quickly, he called the police.

Jose found out that there wasn't a crime in process, but the bag had accidentally been left behind by a worker who was filling the ATM.

“This money could have made an incredible amount of difference in his life if he went down the other path, but he chose the integrity path and did the right thing,” Officer Simon Drobik, a spokesman for the Albuquerque police told CNN.

A community hero

That could have been the end of it, but then this young man got an amazing reward. The teen was called a "community hero" by Officer Drobik. The mayor and police chief also held a ceremony to officially thank him!

Local businesses joined in on the celebration by showering him with gift cards from local restaurants, season tickets for University of New Mexico football, a $500 scholarship, and even a bunch of sports gear.

His mother was super proud too.

“She called me and almost started crying… She told me I did the right thing and that she was proud of me.”

Jose Nuñez Romaniz

Doing the right thing

Jose remembers that when he was staring at the money, waiting for the police to arrive, he heard the lessons his mother and father had taught him when he was growing up in his head.

My parents always taught me to work for my own. Stolen money would never last you any time.

Jose Nuñez Romaniz

When Jose came across that bag of cash, he could have easily taken the money with him and used it to provide him and his family a comfortable life. However, he chose to do the right thing, which gave him a sense of satisfaction. Additionally, his actions led him to receive the admiration of others, which is rewarding in itself.

More uplifting news:

Act with integrity
Doing the right thing can present limitless rewards.

Hot Stories

Pamela Anderson Opens Up About Her 9 Disastrous Weddings
Why Pamela Anderson Can't Stop Getting Married

Pamela Anderson has it all: beauty, fame and success. So why can’t the most famous blonde find her fairytale ending? Why is Pamela so unlucky in love and what dark secrets lie behind her seemingly glamorous life?

Keep ReadingShow less
Life Stories
Woman sitting in a first class seat on a flight and a mother wearing a face mask with a child sitting next to her.

Woman Refuses to Give Her First Class Seat to Mom and Child

Pexels/ RDNE Stock project andPexels/ Oleksandr P

Flying first-class is a luxury most of us will never get to experience. So when a woman's boyfriend surprised her with a ticket on a long-haul flight she was thrilled.

Legroom for days, next-level service, snuggling under a complimentary duvet with a down pillow on your LIE-FLAT seat, AND sipping champagne? Seriously, what's not to love?

Needless to say, it didn't disappoint. What did disappoint, however, was a mother and plane staff asking the woman to switch seats with a child in ECONOMY shortly before take-off. She politely declined. But now she's wondering, AITAH? The internet has thoughts.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
Man sitting on the couch with two kids and a man looking out of the window with two children.

Mom Shocked When Ex Steps Into Current Husband's House

@mrspinchofficial/TikTok

Navigating the complexities of co-parenting after a divorce is no easy feat, but one mom is feeling incredibly grateful for the harmonious dynamic she shares with her ex-husband.

In a touching video that has taken social media by storm, the remarried woman reveals the beautiful relationship between her former spouse and her new family. The video, which has garnered over four million views, showcases a heartwarming scene that highlights the power of mature and respectful co-parenting.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News