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Finders, keepers? Not according to Florida law

Finders, keepers? Not according to Florida law
Finders, keepers? Not according to Florida law
Posted at 2:25 AM, Aug 08, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-07 22:31:37-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Finders keepers, losers weepers is a common saying, but it's not the rule of law in Florida.

And now law-enforcement officers are looking for a suspected thief.

Surveillance video from last Sunday at the Walmart off Mahan Drive shows a customer dropping his wallet in the self-checkout area.

Moments later, you see another man picking it up.

Deputies say that second man then left the store without turning it in or contacting officials.

This comes just days after police were looking for another person accused of finding cash in a Walmart self-checkout machine and taking it.

Many of you left comments on these stories, asking is this theft?

"Its not illegal to pick them up," said Leon County Sheriff's Office Deputy Dave Teems, "but it is illegal in Florida statue to use them as your own without contacting law enforcement and letting them know you found it."

In Florida, if a person finds lost or abandoned property, they are required to report it to law enforcement.

Florida Statute says if you don't report it, or return the property when asked, that is considered theft.