Crime & Safety

Natick Boy Earns $100 With Act Of Honesty: Police

After finding a $100 bill on the ground, a Natick boy wanted to make sure it was returned to the owner.

NATICK, MA β€” It pays to be honest.

One year ago, a young boy named Ben found a $100 bill on the ground in Natick. He traveled with his parents to the police station to hand it over, hoping that the owner would get it back.

On Tuesday, Natick Det. Edward Arena returned the $100 bill to Ben after no one stepped forward to claim it.

Find out what's happening in Natickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Massachusetts has a very specific law about what to do with found money. Anyone who finds more than $3 has to find a way to return it within two days β€” up to and including taking out an advertisement in the local newspaper. But if one year passes, the finder can legally become the keeper.

In a Facebook post, Natick police lauded Ben's honesty and showing "uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.'

Find out what's happening in Natickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Thank you to Ben and his parents for their example of integrity," Natick police said in the post. "When asked what he plans to spend his windfall on, Ben was still deciding."

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