BASTROP, TX. - A homeless man in Texas was awarded the $77,000 after the Bastrop City Council voted unanimously (6-0) that 46-year-old Timothy Yost should be given the money he discovered on the banks of the Colorado River in the city of Bastrop.
Yost found a bag in January that contained some cash as well as golden South African coins, when he was washing his feet in the river. Upon discovering the tresure bag, he tried cashing them in at a local bank. The bank notified the police, who withheld the money to investigate any possible crime associated with the incident.
The investigating police, Bastrop Police Chief Michael Blake told Austin's Your News Now, "Under common law in Texas, typically if it is buried and we are not able to find the rightful owner for the funds within the prescribed time period, then the finder of the funds can petition to be awarded those funds."
This is exactly what happened in the case of Yost, who was awarded the money after the rightful owners were not discovered. Yost claims that the first thing he wants to buy is a car.
Aleta Peacock, Yost's lawyer told Statesman.com "It is a great day for Bastrop; it is a great day for Mr. Yost."
According to reports, Yost will be given the 48 golden coins and the remaining $70,000 in $100 bills today.
Unfortunately, Yost is currently in prison for criminal trespassing and public intoxication. However his lawyer tells the media, "We will ensure he gets his money and also ensure his personal safety," as reported by the Statesman.
