ST. GEORGE — Three teenagers working at the Subway sandwich shop in Springdale discovered a purse left behind bursting with money Monday evening.
Paul Dick was one of three Subway employees o turn in a purse left behind in Springdale, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Paul Dick, St. George News
As the employees closed the establishment just before 10 p.m., they noticed a purse hanging on the back of a chair on the patio.
One of the teens told St. George News that they estimated it was close to $15,000 when they counted some of the money.
Paul Dick, one of the three, said the teens were surprised to find so much cash in the purse. He added the money was in large bills and the purse was a black Louis Vuitton.
“It was super crazy. I thought it was a dream,” Dick said.
He said they looked for a driver’s license to contact the owner but couldn’t find one. The workers turned in the wallet to the fire department since they weren’t sure where the police station was.
JJ Ray, Springdale police lieutenant and ]public information officer, told St. George News that the person who lost their wallet was from out of the country. He couldn’t comment on the purse owner’s other details.
Lydia Klepper was one of three Subway employees to turn in a purse left behind in Springdale, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Lydia Klepper, St. George News
“We were able to locate the owner and get it straight back to them. They were very lucky the kids were honest,” Ray said. “I don’t want to say it’s a rarity because there are a lot of honest people in the world, but as far as this specific circumstance with that much money, I haven’t seen this. I’m thankful for all the honest people in the world.”
Ray advises people not to carry that much cash when they can use either credit cards or money orders.
Dick said he is grateful that his co-workers kept each other accountable and that it was tempting seeing that much cash.
“If I was alone. I think I might have kept a few of the bills,” Dick said
Lydia Klepper, one of the employees who found the money, said she considered how many travelers visit Springdale.
“A lot of people that come into Springdale are going on a trip. Like if that was someone’s trip money, I just wanted to get it back to them,” Klepper said.
Klepper and Kiley Karne, who discovered the funds with Dick, are juniors at Hurricane High School. Dick is a freshman at Hurricane Middle School.
Klepper added that she enjoys working at Subway because she meets people from all over the world.
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