Money bag recovered

By Melissa Meehan
TWO BERWICK residents will be charged on summons after spending some of the money they found in a cash-stuffed suitcase bought from a Beaconsfield charity store.
A 34-year-old woman and 44-year-old man, both from Berwick, are expected to be charged with theft by finding after failing to report finding the cash.
The suitcase in question was mistakenly donated to the Beaconsfield Salvos Store by a family member who did not know cash was hidden in the lining of the suitcase.
Sergeant Garry Kear told the News the suitcase had been recovered on 18 March at a Narre Warren house, a week after it was reported missing.
He said police tracked the new owner through his EFTPOS transaction and the man was expected to be charged on summons after he is alleged to have spent some of the money.
“They purchased the suitcase unaware of the money, but when they found it, they spent it for their own causes,” he said.
“In that light, it changes the nature of the whole thing – they should have contacted the police or Salvation Army straight away.”
On Tuesday, Salvation Army communications officer Major Brad Halse confirmed that the suitcase was sold at the Beaconsfield store, but watered down claims that the amount of money involved exceeded $100,000.