Woman Finds Wad of Cash, Turns It In

Connie Dunne could have taken the money and made good use of it at any number of holiday sales. Instead, the 47-year-old administrative assistant from Ventura handed a wad of cash she found in a grocery store parking lot Friday morning over to authorities.

All $1,000 of it.

Dunne discovered the money about 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Ralphs, 9372 Telephone Road.

“I got out of my car, and there it was,” said Dunne. “It was just kind of right there behind the car next to me.”

The money was attached to a paper with some identification on it, and Dunne took it inside the store to a cashier, who called the manager. The manager made an announcement over the store’s public address system, but no one responded.

Dunne then took the money home and called the Ventura Police Department.

At no time did the thought of keeping the cash enter her mind, Dunne said.

“I can’t do that because it’s not the right thing to do,” she said.

Ventura Police Lt. Steve Bowman said the money is in police custody until someone claims it. If it has not been claimed in 90 days, Dunne will get it all.

Dunne feels sorry for whoever lost the money and hopes the money is claimed.

“People lose things or drop things. Accidents happen. I’m just glad someone like me, who’s honest, found it,” she said.

The person who lost the money is asked to call Ventura police public service officer Lynette Lightfoot at 339-4490.