A cab driver is receiving praise for his character after he turned in to the police some $187,000 in cash that he found in a backpack that was accidentally left behind by a passenger.
Raymond MacCausland, a 72-year old Boston hackney driver, realized that the passenger he picked up near Massachusetts Avenue and Tremont Street on the afternoon of Friday, July 1 left his backpack behind, so he decided to wait for the passenger to return.
The passenger, however, failed to show up so MacCausland, who has been a taxi driver for about 50 years, decided to drive to the passenger's hotel to look for him. He did not find the man even after asking for help from the hotel staff, so he decided to search for an ID in the bag to identify the owner.
MacCausland eventually discovered stashes of cash inside the backpack but instead of bringing the money home, MacCausland decided to bring the bag and the cash to Boston Police headquarters.
The passenger who accidentally left the money behind called the police while officers were doing an inventory of the bag. The man said that he was a beneficiary of a trust and inherited the money.
The man, who was recovering from drug addiction and has been homeless for a long time, learned days earlier that his recently deceased parents have left him thousands of dollars.
Since there was no bank to cash the check, he went to a check-cashing store and put the money in his backpack.
The man provided receipt of the inheritance when he arrived at the police headquarters to prove he was the owner of the bag. The police then returned the backpack and the money.
Police Commissioner William Evans praised the driver for his exemplary behavior and honesty.
"This hackney driver exhibited exemplary behavior and his honest deed should be recognized," Evans said. "His actions represent the high standards that our department has for our drivers."
Despite his honest act, MacCausland admitted that it has crossed his mind to keep the money but decided to do the right thing instead
"I said, 'Is it drug money? Is it stolen money? Is it Whitey Bulger money?'" MacCausland said. "I made a U-turn and went right to the police station."
The passenger gave MacCausland $100 as reward for his honesty but even without the reward, MacCausland said would still return the money.
