A trip to a bank’s ATM machine is usually a mundane affair, but for Jose Nuñez Romaniz, his visit on Sunday is one that he will remember for the rest of his life.

The 19-year-old was helping his grandfather buy a pair of socks online when he noticed his account balance was low. So he drove to the nearest Wells Fargo to his home in Albuquerque to make a deposit. Little did he know, he was about to make an incredible discovery

When he arrived to make his deposit, Jose noticed a clear plastic bag on the ground filled with cash. It turned out to be $135,000 worth of $50 and $20 bills.

“When I first saw it, I kind of stared at it for a few seconds, not knowing what to do,” Jose said. “I was very shocked. I’ve never seen so much money.”

Crazy thoughts raced through his head. Was someone going to kidnap him? Was this some kind of practical joke? After taking a moment to collect himself, Jose did what he knew was the right thing: he called the police. They soon discovered that the money had accidentally been left behind by a worker tasked with refilling 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,” Office Simon Drobik, a spokesman for the Albuquerque police.

Officer Drobik later told the Times “I’ve seen a lot of stuff in 21 years, but this was unique and refreshing for the department and city,”

Police think it is the biggest amount of money ever found—and returned—in Albuquerque history.

Read more about this incredible story here!

 

(Photo courtesy of Albuquerque Police Department)