Charles Vacek, 8, poses for a picture with Riveside police Officer Fabian Navarro. Charles found a package containing $300 and turned it in to his principal and later police. (Credit: Riverside police)
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UPDATED 04/06/12 12:29 p.m.
RIVERSIDE, Ill. (CBS) — No one has come forward yet for a package of cash found by an 8-year old boy this week in west suburban Riverside.
As WBBM Newsradio’s Dave Berner reports, Charles Vacek was walking to school earlier this week when he noticed a package on the ground. He picked it up and took it to the principal of his school.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Dave Berner reports
It turned out there were $300 inside.
The principal called Charles’ mother, Marta Vacek, who said, “I thought my boy was in some type of trouble when the principal called,” according to a police news release.
“I was wondering who lost it, and I thought I would probably return it to the police,” Charles told WBBM Newsradio.
After school, Charles and his mother reported the discovery to Riverside police.
“I think he was excited about telling police everything,” Marta Vacek said.
Investigators are now trying to find out whom the money belonged to.
If the money is never claimed, Riverside police Chief Tom Weitzel will either give the money to charity, or to Charles.
“Charles did the right thing by reporting his find and turning it into the police department. It demonstrates his integrity and we were impressed by his actions”, Weitzel said in a news release.
Police plan to honor Charles’ integrity at an upcoming Riverside Village Board meeting. But Charles says he doesn’t understand all the attention, because he just did what he thought was right.
“I would want for the person to who lost the money to find it and be happy,” he said.
