Cold cash: Couple finds money in refrigerator
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The Janesville police report that a Janesville couple recently found approximately $12,000 in the drip tray of the refrigerator in their rented apartment.
JANESVILLE — Colleen Mesler broke down in tears as she talked about the money she found.
“It would be a very big help,” she said. “We’ve been waiting and waiting, and nobody’s called to claim it. Other people have found money and got to keep it.”
Colleen, 65, Janesville, was referring to the almost $12,000 in cash she found while cleaning the refrigerator in her apartment in early December.
Janesville police are holding and examining the cash—$100, $50 and $20 bills, many moldy and deteriorating—to determine if it is drug money, Deputy Police Chief David Moore said.
If the Meslers get the money, when is an open question.
The former tenants are defendants in cocaine-trafficking cases. The apartment where Colleen and her husband, Jim Mesler, 55, live has a new door because Janesville police broke through the old one when they executed a search warrant there in February 2007.
Cops found crack cocaine, marijuana, a scale and materials commonly used to package drugs for street sales.
Eventually, they found almost $1,100 on the person of one of the defendants, but they did not find any bills that corresponded to serial numbers recorded by police before a controlled drug purchase, according to court documents.
“If it is determined that the money is the proceeds from the sale of illegal drugs, then it would be contraband, and on behalf of Janesville taxpayers, we would seize that money,” Moore said. “We have not made that determination.”
But police are examining the bills to see if any have the serial numbers of the drug-buy money, and they are processing the bills to see if any carry the drug defendants’ fingerprints.
Janesville police—not the State Crime Laboratory—are conducting the physical scrutiny of the money, Moore said.
Janesville officers also are interviewing the defendants about the cash left in the refrigerator.
The former tenants were evicted shortly after they were arrested. The vacant apartment was cleaned before the Meslers moved in July 1.
But in early December, the fridge’s self-defrosting freezer wasn’t working right, so Colleen decided to clean the refrigerator.
“I pulled this tray out. It was wrapped in tin foil and plastic, but it was moldy,” Colleen said of the package she found.
“I said, ‘Why don’t you throw it out?’” Jim said. “I thought it was old meat, stale meat.”
“But it didn’t smell like bad meat,” Colleen said. “I pulled it apart and found $100 bills. I was more shocked. ‘I’m not throwing this away,’ I thought.”
The couple spent the afternoon separating the damp, moldy bills, warming some in the oven, then using tweezers to pry them apart.
Cash soon covered their small kitchen table.
“$8,340,” Jim said. “About $2,000 of it was torn up, or we couldn’t get the mold off it. I just went and looked in the mirror and thought, ‘Nothing like this happens to us.’”
Janesville police estimated the cash stash at $11,950, according to a court document that says the estimate was necessary because some bills were stuck together and some had deteriorated.
The Meslers took the money to M&I Bank, where they hoped to exchange moldy bills for crisp cash.
But bank personnel advised them to contact police.
“I’m an honest guy,” Jim said. “We both felt we had to turn it in.”
If they had it do over, they again would have turned in the money, the Meslers said.
“We want to do the right thing,” Colleen added.
“I found money before in Janesville, a $5 bill when I was 13,” Jim said.
He turned the money in to the owner of the old Alpine Restaurant, where he found the money, and after 90 days, the owner gave James the $5.
“I thought we would be able to keep it,” he said of the fridge find.
The bank initially held the money for the Meslers, and police obtained a search warrant to get the money from the bank.
The Meslers followed the procedures detailed in the Janesville Police Department’s found property policy, including placing an ad in a local newspaper that a sum of money had been found.
They received a few responses, but none identified the proper amount or location of the find.
“I know they (police) want to keep it, but as long as we can keep $8,340, I’ll be happy,” Jim said.
Asked why $8,340, he replied: “Because that’s the number that stuck in my head. I’m not greedy. I just want my $8,340. It was the clean money. It was what we had in good bills.”
The Meslers said they are not worried that the drug defendants or their cronies will come looking for the money because so much time has passed since the former tenants were evicted.
The couple said their income is well below the poverty level, and Jim was just informed that the Veterans Administration was cutting off his disability benefit because of an apparent overpayment.
Christmas for the couple “was bad,” Colleen said. “All we could afford was stocking-stuffers for ourselves.”
She shopped in resale stores to find gifts for her two adult children.
Asked what they would do with the cash if they get it, the Meslers said in unison: “Pay our bills.”
What to do if you find money
Janesville police have procedures in place for people who find money or other property.
“If you do not comply with the following rules, you may be subject to a civil lawsuit by the lawful owner of the property,” according to a document detailing the rules.
Property with a value of at least $25 but less than $100 has rules a little different than property valued at more than $100.
In either case, the finder may keep the property or money in his or her possession until the rightful owner comes forward or 90 days pass. If the rightful owner doesn’t come forward within 90 days of posting or publication of a notice that property was found, the finder gets to keep the property or money.
If the property has a value less than $100, the finder must notify police in writing within five days of finding it, and the police department will post a notice in two public places that the property or money was found.
If the property’s value is more than $100, the finder must notify police within 15 days, and the finder is responsible for publishing a Class 2 legal notice in a local newspaper.
If the property has a value of more than $100, the finder must obtain an appraisal of the property from the police department within two months.
If the lawful owner claims the property within the 90-day period, the finder must return the money or the property “in good repair” to the police department.
The finder may request a “reasonable fee” from the owner for the finder’s trouble, but getting any such fee from the owner is a private civil matter, in which police will not intervene.
Jan 16, 2008 at 5:48 p.m.
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hannah: I buy a $1 lottery ticket every week, and I have some financial problems at times, but I consider it a small price to pay for a little entertainment that with lots of luck could pay off someday. I wouldn't ever spend more than that $1. I also want you to know many of us pay our internet by the year so don't judge us. Just because currently we may be financialy in need, our bills were already paid when times were better. And yes the library also offers free internet.
Stop being so judgmental about what other people decide to do with their money.
I do hope the family gets some sort of reward for finding the money,if not all of it. By the way no matter how they choose to spend it, I hope they make themselves happy.
Jan 16, 2008 at 3:20 p.m.
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Troublegirl, it's none of your business how someone spends the money they have. Why not worry about your own self.
Jan 16, 2008 at 2:45 p.m.
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Hannah, concentrate more on your spelling then how these people are going to spend the "found" money they rightfully deserve!
Jan 16, 2008 at 2:26 p.m.
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no i do not know these people personally. but people tend to win money then blow it all away insteaad of just investing or putting to good use what they have. i see it all the time at conv gas station, peolpe in for gas smokes and lotery tickets hoping to be the next millionare. trobel is they dont read the fine print of the odds. yes it is to do with what they wish. and that is just my opinion. i dont care if you agree with or not. This is a forum and that will happen
Jan 16, 2008 at 1:52 p.m.
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OOOF.
Cashed out your 401ks? BAD, BAAD idea.
Next you'll say you're paying your ARM no down payment nortgage with your credit cards.
Jan 16, 2008 at 1:32 p.m.
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When we lost our jobs we cashed out our 401Ks. That is how I can afford internet.
Jan 16, 2008 at 1:28 p.m.
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There are computers that are FREE TO USE at the library.
Jan 16, 2008 at 1:20 p.m.
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Amazingly enough, those of you that say you are unemployed can afford your computers and internet service to leave your ridiculous little opinions here. That's putting your child support money to good use!
Jan 15, 2008 at 1:41 p.m.
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I agree with you Tammy.
Jan 15, 2008 at 5:51 a.m.
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Hannah, do you know these people personally? You must, because I don't know any other way that you would be able to "see them throwing it away on lottery tickets hoping to get more". That's a pretty presumptuous comment to make, isn't it? They found the money, they deserve to keep it. Beyond that, how they spend it is noboby's business.
Jan 14, 2008 at 11:50 p.m.
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housewife...would that be money laundering?? lol
Jan 14, 2008 at 3:05 p.m.
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hanna- I'm not living off you or other peoples tax money. I'm not on any state aid. I'm not out to have people feel sorry for me. I do get some part time work once in awhile driving cars for a used lot in town. That is why I'm not living on state aid.
My point was that some people fall on hard times not by their choice. These people are retired and having difficlt times. Anyone knows that the older people have a more difficult time finding work.
Jan 14, 2008 at 2:10 p.m.
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gazettefan- i can see them throwing it away on lottery tickets hoping to get more. what a waste that would be. put it dowm ona moderatly priced home that will go up in value instead of renting it down the toilet
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:07 p.m.
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Copperguy: Thank you for the well written post and concise information.
I do laugh at the Contraband designation however- I did read in an independent study that up to 35% of ones and five dollar bills have cocaine residue on them.
Next time I play tooth fairy I will wash the money first....
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:43 p.m.
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If they get the money they can use it to buy lottery tickets and if they win they'll be moving on up to the eastside to that deeeelux apartment in the sky!!!
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:37 p.m.
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I say, let the people keep the money. They can take it to Vegas and put it on a hard 8
Jan 13, 2008 at 10:10 p.m.
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copperguy; Amen brother. Now, before all of you in bloggerland take this literally, this is only a saying. copperguy is NOT my brother. In fact I do not even know him. (At least by his username.)
Jan 13, 2008 at 9:54 p.m.
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Yepper, wisconsinheat. The information I presented was just to answer some of the questions that were raised. Note that I did not speak to any of the "good intentions," or laziness issues. I'm not voicing any opinion on those issues. Just clarifying some definitions and talking about those resources (rewards, Crimestoppers) that are available, in general.
Here is an opinion, though, since you mentioned it. Television and Hollywood really do a disservice to the extent that they lead folks to believe they portray reality. Criminal justice is hugely more complicated and protracted than is presented to the viewing public.
Jan 13, 2008 at 9 p.m.
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Copperguy. "Money used in a criminal (i.e. drug) investigation is contraband. No matter how one comes into possession of it, it is unlawful to possess it."
I agree with everything you said, BUT although the general public can and does assume everything they see on tv (or read in the Gazette) must be true we both know that as Paul Harvey says' "here's the rest of the story."
Just because the money was found in the defrost tray of the refrigerator does not necessarily mean that ALL of that money is "DRUG MONEY". It probably is, BUT, the state has to PROVE that it is, which is not as easy to do as it might seem. Therefore,
the bottom line is probably the serial numbers of the "buy money" will determine how much if any the tenants get to keep.
Jan 13, 2008 at 7:11 p.m.
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Another thing I thought of is that any monies that came from a drug investigation may not even belong to the Janesville PD. It is possible that they could have come from a multi-agency task force that Janesville may or may not be a part of, or from another agency altogether.
Jan 13, 2008 at 1:22 p.m.
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The rules concerning the cash seem to be fairly clear, but I am inclined to ask why these rules are going to be followed to the letter of the law when so many other clear rules are not enforced and even overlooked. Everyone seems to warp morality to suit their own needs.
Jan 13, 2008 at 12:51 p.m.
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let them keep it. or do what they want with it. you can see that the police dept. couldn't find it and neither could the landlord. who cleaned this place anyways.. who ever it was they can't clean or they would of found it and do you think they would of turn the money in ???
Jan 13, 2008 at 4:07 a.m.
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Also, here is an interesting link I happened upon a while back:
http://theethicsguy.com/quiz.html
Jan 13, 2008 at 3:58 a.m.
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I see some folks asking legitimate questions, some of which I can shed some light on.
First, keep in mind that contraband is contraband. That is, anything which it is unlawful to possess. Controlled substances, alcohol by an underage person, burglarious tools, etc., all all examples. Anything that is used in the commission of, or is the product of a crime, is contraband. So, if someone steals a valuable (best example for me is a pocketwatch that's been in the family since 1800s) from you and hocks it, only to have an innocent and uninvolved person buy it, that innocent person is not entitled to it because it is stolen property. It is contraband.
Money used in a criminal (i.e. drug) investigation is contraband. No matter how one comes into possession of it, it is unlawful to possess it.
Now, regarding the policy on found/unclaimed property, I have not been able to locate a statutory reference. I wouldn't be surprised if there is one, but those things are tedious to research. Nonetheless, most agencies have policies mirroring the one outlined in the article.
With regard to releasing names, they are public record. Unless there is a statory prohibition on release (such as names of juvenile offenders), the department has little choice but to release the information.
Depending on whether or not the drug case is already disposed and the exact nature of the case, the finders MAY be entitled to a cash reward for information helping to convict. There's also the Crimestopper program which is probably available in Rock County/Janesville.
As to the landlord's interest, I'm going to SPECULATE (how's that for a disclaimer?). Most rental and lease agreements specify that which is the landlord's property. For example, appliances, window treatments, etc.. The building and improvements are a given. I would GUESS that the landlord would have a tough time making the case for an ownership interest in items not so specified. This is reasoned speculation only!
Hope this information is helpful. Glad to see folks interested in understanding these things!
Jan 12, 2008 at 12:34 p.m.
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we are all probably guilty-humane nature
Jan 12, 2008 at 12:28 p.m.
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I am as guilty as anyone.
Jan 12, 2008 at 11:40 a.m.
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i was hired as an untrained in car sales!alot of dealers prefer no experience because they dont have bad sales habits yet.people also like to buy from women. we are not full of that bologny like men seem to be. so she could give that a try
Jan 12, 2008 at 11:19 a.m.
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HONEYBEE & HANNA, WHY DONT YOU GET EACH OTHERS EMAIL ADDRESS AND DUKE THIS OUT BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU. LIKE GARYPRIMER SAID, THIS IS ABOUT MONEY!!!
Jan 12, 2008 at 10:35 a.m.
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thank you garyprimer these blogs too often end up in other directions does anyone have a view to share on the topic?
Jan 12, 2008 at 10:33 a.m.
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Hanna I know car sales very well I have a dealer's license and attend the auctions on a regular basis if you are at a dealership then you know the last few months are down times the next couple will be the best all year due to taxes. How often do dealerships hire women sales people with no expierence with cars unless it's in the office doing paperwork. Some people do live paycheck to paycheck and when you loose that income it can be hard to get back in the game yes she does need to go out and search for jobs mabey she is we don't know that or do we know her education and experience levels. I myself have never been on state aid and hopefully will never need to be but I have a strong support system some do not. When you have children it makes it that much harder I am not making excuses for her All I am saying is that you don't know her circumstances neither do I. People are sometimes nasty and too quick to judge because they have not walked the path of others. Being a business owner I see different circumstances daily and know some do try some do not. I don't condone people using the system I can't tell you how often people come in with their work papers (from welfare) at 4 in the afternoon wanting them signed so it appears that they are looking for a job if they are not dressed approperately and do not appear to really want a job I will refuse to sign.
Jan 12, 2008 at 10:31 a.m.
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Hey! You guys! Money found in a refrigerator! It's about money found in a refrigerator.
Jan 12, 2008 at 9:44 a.m.
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honeybee- no i do not know myyear08. i am in auto sales and also have months that are slow and budget accordenly. Her child support doesnt amount to anything so she will have to do SOMETHING about her job loss. unless she thinks she is just going to wait for the market to turn around. I know if she is in sales she may go to most any car dealer and possibly get a job there. she just doesnt seem to try at all. Sorry i am not stuck up and yes maybe i am judgemental about the people that we pay with our taxes to sit on their buts and not work when they are capable and to picky about the jobs that are avaiable.Like i said it doesnt have to be her careeer change but something to get by on more that 400 a month
Jan 11, 2008 at 9:43 p.m.
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myyear08 and hanna are you two friends or what because you both seem to be very stuck up and judgemental. Before you ask I own my own business and let me tell you times can be very good one month and hard the next situations happen. Have either of you heard of the poverty level for families how the hell is this woman to support herself and her child on a McDonalds wage give me a brake. Your lives must not be perfect either or you would not have to vent your frustrations online. I do realize that there are lazy bumbs who would like nothing more than to lay on their couch all day but this woman sounds like she just fell on hard times it happens give her a break. And to address the issue at hand give the people a reward for finding it give the rest to agencys helping keep drugs off the streets.
Jan 11, 2008 at 5:13 p.m.
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MAYBE THEY SHOULD OF TAKEN SOME OF THE MONEY, KEPT IT AND WENT ON A SKY DIVING TRIP WITH THE MONEY. WAITED FOR THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS TO RUN OUT, THEN WALK INTO THE JANESVILLE POLICE DEPT. AND SAY NOW I WANT ALL MY MONEY. JUST LIKE THE BANK ROBBER DID THAT LEAPED FROM THE PLANE IN THE MOUNTAINS OUT WEST.THOSE OF YOU THAT REMEMBER THIS STORY WILL UNDERSTAND.
Jan 11, 2008 at 3:59 p.m.
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Firehouse3... Out of all those charities not one of then has offered you a job or even directed you to the right place to find one . They must know you are living off of you childs ... Child support ? I don't need to list my many chartitable actions . I can pat my own self on the back . Clearly that is why you help them . Maybe this also is why you can't land a job . Lacking in self confidence clearly ..
Jan 11, 2008 at 3:53 p.m.
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The dollar store is hiring , so is Kwik Trip . point being . Take responsibilty for your self and your own life . I is what you make it . Done cry about it . .. CHANGE IT !
Jan 11, 2008 at 3:48 p.m.
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mulligans has a sign out hiring 3-11 pm!!!!
Jan 11, 2008 at 3:47 p.m.
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that is great you contribute to charities, and so do other people. but we also have a job and pay our bills as well. and if we lost one we would find another. your daughter isnt trying to hard. has she called THEM back. be persistant is what always worked for me. dont take no for an answer. call them!!talk to the manager yourself- if they say he is busy then wait!!!! youre not working so youll have time
Jan 11, 2008 at 3:44 p.m.
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the market is fine if people like you and you do good work.
Jan 11, 2008 at 3:43 p.m.
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sorry fisherhouse, maybe youll just have to get by with a regular job for know with regular income. This maytbe is andrea briammoon speaking under fake name-she was fired from shorewest. i can understand why you dont have a replacement job yet. and give it up for city council would you
Jan 11, 2008 at 3:41 p.m.
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dalejrsux- that is funny . do you really think it would help. i think he has enough of his own. i think you have to be LIKED to win. i think you mean unsuccesfull! i know just sarcasm
Jan 11, 2008 at 3:38 p.m.
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ski1357
good point-get out a get another job. there are lots of ad in paper and stop living off all of us. i have seen and worked with people that get aid and wont work more than 20 hours or theyll loose all the free money and are capable of working 40 . and would make even more money than just the aid plus 20 hrs
Jan 11, 2008 at 2:44 p.m.
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Sorry sweetie, no. But your response shows what kind of person you are.
Jan 11, 2008 at 2:19 p.m.
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I am a real estate agent. Anyone that reads or watches the tv knows what the market is like. I have been looking for a job and my husband is looking. My daughter has turned a app. into McDonals and guess what NO CALL and that was a month ago. So I'm not sitting on my butt all day. O and if anyone wants to know, I am working on 4 different fund raisers this year to help out ECHO, Battered womans shelter, Rock County Humane Society, and Carbone Cancer Research. What are you doing to help out the Community? What .. Nothing .. guess it's easy to find fault in people when you don't do anything. Look around there are plenty of charities that would love for you to help out.
Jan 11, 2008 at 1:38 p.m.
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garyprimer -- like I said, don't criticize unless you know what you're talking about. Obviously you don't. Enough breath wasted.
Jan 11, 2008 at 1:12 p.m.
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Let me guess you are unemployed as well ?
Jan 11, 2008 at 12:43 p.m.
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Wow, how judgmental.
Perhaps you didn't read that they both lost their jobs? Jobs aren't easy to come by anymore.
Hope you never end up in the same situation. Or perhaps you should, so you know what it's like and you get off your high-horse.
Jan 11, 2008 at 12:33 p.m.
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Firehouse3... You have one child and you are living off child support ? Let me be the first to tell you to get off your bum and get a job . Set a good example for your child . Don't sit on the computer all day waiting to comment on something only to try and get people to feel sorry for you . God helps those whom help themselves . No one is going to knock on your door and ask you to work for them . Since you didn't mention in your blog that you have been looking for a job . I can only guess that you have not been ! Check your fridge .... Maybe a work fairy will be in there and grant you three wishes !
Jan 11, 2008 at 12:14 p.m.
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hannah, I've used that method too.
But the smoking ban story first appeared in gazettextra yesterday and even though it had a lot of posts, it never appeared on the blog list.
Jan 11, 2008 at 12:08 p.m.
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Firehouse3...you go get another job instead of living off of the child support. Sometimes people have to just swallow the pride. McDonalds is always hiring.
Jan 11, 2008 at noon
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oops left click
Jan 11, 2008 at 11:59 a.m.
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another way to keep track is to right click on your own red name and view your posts if you have lost one. I think they only keep the stories on the right side for a short time. i think if there are alot of comments it should stay on the right side till it looses interest
Jan 11, 2008 at 11:34 a.m.
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hannah, thanks, I've used the search method to find that blog earlier today and other disappearing blogs in the past.
Don't know why stories disappear. Bloggers for interesting stories are lost.
Jan 11, 2008 at 11:18 a.m.
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to the person that couldnt find the smoking ban on ejust go under search and put in Rock County could stiffen smoking ordinance
Jan 11, 2008 at 11 a.m.
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The police department does a good job in this city and deserves our thanks and cooperation, but let's hope that the day never comes when we are not allowed to criticize them or question their actions. When you find yourself among the 1% of people who are "normal", you are exhibiting a classic symptom of insanity -- "everyone else is crazy".
Jan 11, 2008 at 10:40 a.m.
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bulbus1, are we suppose to believe that everything is fine where you live and that the elderly are nicely taken care of? Janesville is a good town; don't judge it by one odd incident.
BearsFan, good to see that a Bears fan can care so much about some cheeseheads.
Jan 11, 2008 at 10:10 a.m.
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I haven't read all the posts, but most are missing the point. Let the police have the drug, tainted, evil people's money. Lets help the couple. I have $1 I can spare to help with someone else's bills even when mine are over my head. The reason these things reach the news is so good people will help their fellow humans. Can the newspaper get a bank account number so we can send our $1s to this couple. God cares and so do we.
Jan 11, 2008 at 10:08 a.m.
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I should have added that they are entitled to any non-drug money not claimed after 90 days.
Jan 11, 2008 at 9:49 a.m.
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It's still a fact that the people only contacted the police after being told to do so by the bank.
The well written story explains what the rules are re: the money. The police don't have the authority to make arbitrary decisions in this matter.
The people are entitled to any amount that is not determined to be drug money. They rented the space in which it was found; the landlord isn't entitled to any of it.
Jan 11, 2008 at 9:41 a.m.
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maorpr: I for one am not bashing the police or the department. I know I couldn't do what they do on a daily basis. And, yes, there are good people in every job and lazy people in every job. Out of principle, I think they should get to keep the money. However, I do also understand and appreciate that there are rules in place for items that could potentially be part of a crime or sting. Since an outside agency is doing the testing and comparison, I have faith that if the money is not related to the drug dealers, the Meslers will get it back. Even if it is related to the drug dealers and the department keeps it per state statutes, I feel the Meslers should be compensated somehow for their honesty. We live in a "me society" and am afraid that not compensating them somehow could eventually deter others from coming forth in similar situations.
Jan 11, 2008 at 9:12 a.m.
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I HAPPEN TO AGREE VERRRY MUCH WITH GAYPRIMER (A FEW STORYS BACK)....LET THE COPS HAVE THE $2,830 BUCKS FOR EVIDENCE AND GIVE THE COUPLE A FINDERS FEE/REWARD OF $5000!!!..GEEZE! THEY GAVE IT BACK WHAT MORE DO PEOPLE WANT?...YOU KNOW...ITS EASY TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN YOU HAVE MONEY, BUT ITS MUCH MUCH HARDER TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN YOUR IN NEED AND POOR AND COULD USE THAT MONEY FOR SOOO MANY THINGS ....I WISH I HAD SOME MONEY TO SEND TO THAT COUPLE TO TRY AND HELP...BUT I DONT CUZ IM IN THE SAME BOAT AS THEM!....THINK ABOUT THAT!
Jan 11, 2008 at 9:09 a.m.
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i feel they should keep the money. it seems to me that it has been in the refridg. for a long time. they found it, they should keep it.
i doubt that the police department would give it back to the city.
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:58 a.m.
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jviers77 -- wow, looks like you and I are the only normal people that post. 99% of people that post are friggin' idiots when it comes to the law and police. And as I'm sure you know, they're the first ones to call 911 when they need help but then will be the first to complain about the response they got also. Don't waste your breath. I guarantee you that most of them have records themselves. And none of them have the guts to lay their lives on the line on a daily basis for anyone. They're about as brilliant as the druggies themselves and the so-called honest people that only turned the money into get fresh bills. What a joke.
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:56 a.m.
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"The finder may request a “reasonable fee” from the owner for the finder’s trouble, but getting any such fee from the owner is a private civil matter, in which police will not intervene."
I think $8,340 is fair and reasonable finders fee!
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:36 a.m.
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What happened to the "smoking ban" story that was getting a lot of posts?
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:07 a.m.
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I wouldnt have told anyone,maybe dishonest but...I would have kept it and not told anyone...especialy not the police.
Jan 11, 2008 at 7:03 a.m.
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It seems to me that the great detectives of Janesville are trying to save face by attempting to claim the money as contraband. They had their chance to find the money legally, and missed the boat! If the city of Janesville is in such dire need of the money these good people found, who were only doing the christian thing by turning it over, that they will strip them of this little amount of money that will make their life just a little bit easier for a few months, the city is in pretty bad shape. This money is not going to do anything but fund a party for some official who is leaving the dept. What a waste. Shame on you Janesville Police Department for even thinking that is your money. Why don't you try this on for size, dismiss the great detectives who missed the money. That should save the department more than what you are trying to take from this couple.
Jan 11, 2008 at 4:06 a.m.
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If the local government can't fund the infrastructure on their tax base then they need a reality check. If the couple had been associated with the drug dealers, then confiscate and take the money. The way it looks is the Local PD is trying to associate this find in order to forfit the proceeds.
Shame shame, return the money to the family who found the windfall, so their standard of living can lift them up. Remember they did the right thing by reporting it, now the Police need to do the God'ly thing of returning it.
Help those in need is also covered in the phrase "To Protect and Serve"!) Ask the local FOP for help if your department is in financial trouble, ask the City Fathers to increase your budget, seek grants from Federal level. BOTTOM LINE RETURN THE MONEY TO THOSE IN NEED, namely the family who is in poverty, and found the package in their freezer.
DO THE RIGHT THING, for next time it might be the other cheek, and GOD is watching over us all.
Jan 11, 2008 at 12:15 a.m.
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Kudos to fisherhouse3...I totally agree. Obviously no one missed the money and the drug dealers arent gonna say..."HEY thats my money". I am a single mother of 5 and I cant honestly say I would have said a word. I would spend it faster than what they could trace it, God will provide and I believe he has here. Give it back to them just for GP.
Jan 10, 2008 at 11:27 p.m.
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My concern is that if I found it and it turned out to be "drug money", do I want those serial numbers being traced back to me? I don't think so. Kudo's to the finders honesty. As for printing their names in the paper, would this be a public records situation, where you could search for a person who found money at a specific location? If these "drug dealers" really had an eye out for the money, they'd have been tracking it somehow.
Jan 10, 2008 at 11:20 p.m.
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Love the sarcasm evansvillewife! How the heck did you remember that 3 year old story?
Jan 10, 2008 at 8:11 p.m.
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Since this money is so valuable as police evidence in a pending case, the police should keep it and pay the finders a fee of $5000 for providing them with it. It will cost the police department nothing and they will make a tidy profit when they cash it in after it is no longer needed. They can probably more readily convince the bank to replace some of the more damaged notes than the average citizen. However if this is drug money, it falls under special rules of seizure and can be confiscated in its entirety whether it is germane to a pending case or not. Rules are rules and it is the police job to uphold them, so I don't expect to see the money going back to the finders. If I am wrong about this, it won't be the first time and it won't be the last time.
Jan 10, 2008 at 7:09 p.m.
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wisconsinheat, no sarcasm here, at last, an explanation!
Jan 10, 2008 at 7:03 p.m.
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It sounds like the money was found in the "defrosting tray" which is actually located underneath near the motor, not in the cold storage compartment. This is the area where the condensate drips in self defrosting refrigerators. That explains how it got "moldy."
Jan 10, 2008 at 6:52 p.m.
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It seems to me that the money should be the property of the landlord if it is returned. Like was mentioned before it was his/her refrigerator. Perhaps the best thing would be to split the money 50/50 between the family that found it and the landlord at least that would be fair. And I would have had that fridge/freezer cleaned BEFORE I PUT ANYTHING into it as you don't know what junk was in it before,obviously it couldn't have looked clean if they found the money package in it. To wait months after moving in to clean it sounds too gross to me.
Jan 10, 2008 at 6:06 p.m.
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Good point liesl. But I still say that if the serial numbers of any of the bills match the "buy money" those bills at least are evidence in a drug case which should be handled as such, regardless of when or how they were found.
Jan 10, 2008 at 6:02 p.m.
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ummmmmm this maybe dumb but i want to know who did the cleaning when the last tenent was kicked out? and why did the current ones take so long to clean it out? heck any time i have helped anyone move and the fridge was left that was one of the first things we cleaned completly including bleached out. dont think i would hire or have them clean for me ever again.
Jan 10, 2008 at 4:56 p.m.
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um...not to muddy the waters and all...but the refrigerator in which the money was found probably does not belong to the Meslers. Isn't it the property of the landlord? Wouldn't he/she be the rightful owner of any found property?
Jan 10, 2008 at 4:49 p.m.
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I am in favor of letting them keep the money!
Shame on the Janesville Gazette for printing this couples name on the front page of the paper!!! If the police searched the apartment and did not find it... that is their error.
Merry Christmas to the couple that found it. You better move... now the druggies know where you are and might want their money back!!! By rights it was theirs to begin with... NOT!
They should get to use the money to move!!!
That is the least we can do for them... they need to be safe!
Enjoy!
Jan 10, 2008 at 4:26 p.m.
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Leave it to the Gazette not to ask police why they never found the money during the search warrant. It seems to be the first question on everyone else's minds. And it's a question that police need to answer.
Jan 10, 2008 at 3:55 p.m.
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let them keep the money, they could use it more than the city. finders keepers.
Jan 10, 2008 at 3:51 p.m.
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In my minds eye I can see Deputy Chief Dave Moore, riding up on a white horse, search warrant in hand, to seize the contraband cash "in the name of the Janesville tax payers" I bet the well intentioned finders never saw 12 large disappear that quickly :)
Humor aside though, kudos to the finders and their honesty. If it is declared "contraband" I am sure the city fathers will find a spot to spend it, that is beneficial to all us taxpayers.
Jan 10, 2008 at 3:25 p.m.
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MYYEAR08 - unless you know these people personally, you have no right to judge their ability (or inability as you have so bluntly stated) to "live within their means". You have no idea what their circumstances are. Some people fall on hard times by no fault of their own.
Jan 10, 2008 at 3:20 p.m.
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Well where was the police department when they searched for drugs and the money before....guess they did not do a good job did they ., now they want the money nooo way . Who ever found it now should surely be able to keep it alllll.....that is for sure....If the police take it... they are for sure wrong in doing so. they could not find it the frist time in the ref... come on now
Jan 10, 2008 at 3:10 p.m.
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MYYEAR08- Good for you, you live within your means. My husband and I did too, until we lost our jobs. Now how do I pay my mortage of over $700 a month, Gas & electric (over $300 a month), and food each week of $50 for a family of 3 on only $440 a month in childsuppot. I wish I found that much money. I would'nt of turned it in. What ever happened to "Finders Keepers Loosers Weepers". If anyone thinks I'm an evil person, I say let them think that. If they know me, they know that I will help anyone that needs help.
I say let them keep the money!
Jan 10, 2008 at 2:39 p.m.
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wisconsinheat..
i have no idea but it sounds kinda ridiculous to me.
Jan 10, 2008 at 2:37 p.m.
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Who made up these "rules" of the JPD concerning found money / property?
Is this state law or just their suggestions.
Jan 10, 2008 at 2:34 p.m.
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if the money was found in a parking lot somewhere ok but they found the money in their freezer and im sure it has been there for more than 90 days and no one came knocking on the door to claim it so i would say its theirs. and if it were me. i would have gotten rid of the bad bills and kept the rest. it was more than they had before she cleaned the freezer.
Jan 10, 2008 at 2:03 p.m.
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Mikki What i believe is that there is a better cause for the money . Disable people have choices as well as the rest of us . I live with in my means and other people really need to learn how to do that as well . Just because they found the money does not make it theirs. If they truely need help then they need to contact their church or family and friends for that . If the money is meant for them then they would have it right now instead of having it at the police station . God does work in wonderful ways .
Jan 10, 2008 at 1:36 p.m.
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i agree i doubt theyll get it back. murders take over a year to solve. money misisng will be unsolved and go to the state opr city and gone forever
Jan 10, 2008 at 1:21 p.m.
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Very honest people. But it will come back to haunt them, because they'll never get that money back.
Jan 10, 2008 at 12:55 p.m.
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maureenmayrand
very good point-wanted to exchange the money until then told to call police. so original intention was to keep it. sound like being greedy like you said couldnt just go with 8340 of (clean cash!) wanted to exchange the moldy stuff. tha tis the UNGEEDY (whatever)amount they want the clean stuff.
ungreedy amount to keep i would say is $100.maybe $1000 anything more is greedy. theyll probably not pay bills and wate on crap instead. anytime i have ever seen a person that was down on luck , behind in bills , NEVER "paid the bills" they blew it on junk
Jan 10, 2008 at 12:44 p.m.
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Oh come on. What's wrong with printing names of people who carry cash *cough cough Mary Sidoff* especially helpless elderly people *hack Ardele Sturzenegger murdered after news story about her found asleep in Big Lots with $80,000 cash on her cough*
Let them keep the money, then there will be a neat news story in a few months about them being murdered and robbed.
Jan 10, 2008 at 12:41 p.m.
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The Meslers are not as honest as this article attempts to illustrate them as... remember the bank actually held the money they attempted to exchange and suggested the couple contact the police.
Mr. Mesler says he is not greedy but then says, "I just want $8,340" - how is that not greedy??
Jan 10, 2008 at 12:39 p.m.
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MYYEAR08, hmmmm. So you think perhaps that this disabled person 'got himself' into debt and can't keep money they found?
Guess you're against any kind of assistance for anyone, since they 'got themselves' into the situation they did.
Jan 10, 2008 at 12:29 p.m.
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well now that the drug dealers know the money was found i am not sure the ones who found it are safe. maybe there is more money hidden in apt.
Jan 10, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.
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This isn't quite on topic, but I hope all you who constantly rip on the cops don't ever need their help someday. I know I'd hate to have to eat crow all day for the rest of my life. Some of you will some day be very lucky the cops can't pick and choose who to help based on what some of you say about them. There are incompetent people in every job, and there are great people in every job.
Jan 10, 2008 at 12:01 p.m.
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HYDROSTREAMBOY- good point another reason to just keep it. i sure if they get to keep it it will be in the news and the dirt bags will come running
Jan 10, 2008 at 11:58 a.m.
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Releasing the finder's names! Another blunder by the police department. You know that dumb cop thing is just an entertainment stereotype. A comic relief. You guys shouldn't try to live up to it.
Jan 10, 2008 at 11:58 a.m.
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