ALBUQUERQUE, NM  – A recent story coming out of New Mexico shows that doing the right thing really does pay off.

A young man’s display of integrity is being rewarded with a job offer from his local police station after he discovered an unattended bag containing $135,000 and turned it in to authorities.

Imagine being 19-years-old and happening upon a bag near an ATM that hosted $135,000 in cash.

With the economy being in the state it is in, it’s amazing to see a young man named José Nuñez Romaniz displaying integrity when he discovered what some would call a life-changing lump sum of cash discovered.  

Romaniz had gone to a local ATM on May 3rd to pull out some cash in order to buy his grandfather some socks. He contacted police to tell them that right next to the ATM was a clear bag that held $135,000 which was left completely unattended.

Even with no one around, Romaniz contacted authorities to report the sum of cash.

Apparently, the bag of money was erroneously left behind by a Wells Fargo subcontractor whose job was to fill the ATM with cash. Albuquerque Police Chief Mike Geier commented on the actions taken by Romaniz that day:

“What a great opportunity for us to see some good in the community with all the tragedies we see with young people, this really restores our faith in the community as well.”

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller also chimed in on how much integrity Romaniz showcased with his actions:

“Man, we all know that temptation – even just take a little, just one of those bundles off the top, I mean that had to be really hard. I’m just absolutely impressed.”

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Romaniz is currently a college student who is studying criminal justice at Central New Mexico Community College and has aspirations to work in law enforcement.

APD Chief Geier was so impressed with the young man, that he offered him a job with the department as a public safety officer while he’s still in school.

Mayor Keller happens to find the whole situation to be a perfect marriage between Romaniz and the APD:

“Whether you can believe that it is divine, or it’s good luck or whatever, we were just talking about how – the irony that his career is so far leaning towards criminal justice, and he happens to be looking for a job, and we happen to be hiring.”

New Mexico electricity provider PNM was also awe-struck by what Romaniz did when discovering the copious amount of unattended cash. In turn, PNM presented the young adult with a $500 check to help with school-related expenses.

El Patron, a local eatery, also gave Romaniz a gift card and $500 cash reward as well.

ESPN Radio also wanted to give tangible accolades to Romaniz, so they gave him season tickets to the University of New Mexico’s Lobos football games and a signed football by former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.

When Romaniz was asked what was going through his mind when he stumbled upon such a large sum of cash, he responded with the following:

“In the back of my head, I was just thinking about my parents, especially my mom.

What she would do if I came home with the money and what she would do with her chancla to hit me. I did the right thing and I know my parents are proud and my family is proud as well.”

We at Law Enforcement Today couldn’t be more proud of Romaniz.

We’re hoping to see the young man flourish in a career of law enforcement, as his recent display shows the kind of integrity that leads to a rewarding and impactful career in serving one’s community.  

And, like the Chief said, this situation gives us hope that there is still good in the world, especially in the younger generation.

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