Man finds, returns bag with $12K inside

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Authorities said George Cooper found a bag holding more than $12,000 in front of his home on Saturday, January 26.

When the tide goes out in front of George Cooper's home on Scenic Highway, he said sometimes it leaves all kinds of debris in its wake.

He's been cleaning whatever the tide leaves behind for years, and he said he's never been surprised.

Then again, he's never had $12,000 in cash wash ashore.

"I was pretty shocked. I thought it was pretty eerie and weird that it would be right here. I'm not that lucky." said Cooper.

Cooper said he was out picking up trash from the shore when he noticed a clear plastic bag sticking out of the sand.

What he discovered was a deposit bag with paperwork and cash inside.

"The first thing I thought was that it was drug money. When I started peeling it apart and showing my wife, in the center was about 57 hundred dollar bills," Cooper said.

Cooper took the money to a local bank on Monday, January 28 and contacted authorities.

Escambia County Sheriff's investigators said the bag, which contained $12,303, went missing from the Loomis Armored Car Company.

Cooper said until a month ago when his neighbor cleared it out the entire beach, it was covered by bamboo-like weeds.

"When you look around the area you wonder how it really happened. I didn't think that's what my Saturday was going to be about," said Cooper.

The Escambia County Sheriff's Office recognized Cooper for his integrity in helping to return the money to its rightful owner.