A Kennebunk man is facing severe criminal charges for simply picking up $7,400 in cash he found on a local street, an incident that has ignited a crucial discussion about Maine’s surprisingly stringent lost property laws and challenging the popular notion of “finders keepers” in the digital age.
In a story that sounds like something out of a moral dilemma, a man in Kennebunk, Maine, has found himself entangled in a significant legal predicament after collecting $7,400 in cash he discovered lying on a street. This seemingly innocuous act of finding money has quickly escalated into a criminal investigation, sparking widespread debate about ethical responsibilities versus legal obligations when valuable property is lost and subsequently found.
The Incident: How $7,400 Ended Up on Fletcher Street
The saga began on October 15, when the rightful owner of the cash inadvertently left a substantial sum of $7,400 on the roof of his car after a vehicle sale. Unaware of his mistake, he drove off, leading to the money tumbling onto a street in Kennebunk. It wasn’t until he returned home and realized the money was missing that the gravity of the situation became clear.
Dashcam footage later revealed a man pocketing the cash from Fletcher Street. In a twist of fate, the owner’s father, who had gone out searching for the lost money, arrived at the scene only to witness the suspect scooping up the funds. The images captured the father, dressed in a plaid shirt, bending down alongside the alleged thief, who then fled westbound in a dark grey Honda CR-V.
Beyond ‘Finders Keepers’: Maine’s Lost Property Laws
Contrary to the popular adage of “finders keepers,” Maine’s laws regarding lost money or goods are exceptionally clear and stringent, especially when a significant amount is involved. Police officials, including Kennebunk Police Chief Robert Mackenzie, have emphasized that this incident is not a case of casual retrieval but a potential crime.
Under Maine law, anyone who finds lost money or goods valued at $3 or more is legally obligated to take specific actions. These include:
- Notifying the town clerk within seven days of finding the item.
- Providing the clerk with details about where the money or goods were found.
- Posting a public notification about the discovery in a designated public place.
For items valued at $10 or more, an additional requirement comes into play: the finder must also publish a notification in a local newspaper. These detailed protocols, outlined in Title 33, Section 1051 of the Maine Revised Statutes, underscore the state’s commitment to protecting property rights and discouraging illicit retention of found items. This specific statute can be reviewed on the Maine Legislature website.
The Criminal Implications: Theft of Mislaid or Lost Property
Given the substantial amount of money involved, the alleged thief is facing serious legal repercussions. A spokesman for the Kennebunk Police Department told WMTW that the incident would be classified as a Class C crime. Under Maine’s criminal code, specifically Title 17-A, Section 356-A, a person is guilty of theft if they obtain or exercise “control over the property of another that the person knows to have been lost.”
A Class C crime in Maine carries significant penalties, punishable by up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine, as detailed by the Maine Attorney General’s office. This case serves as a stark reminder that intent and value are critical factors in distinguishing between finding a lost item and committing theft.
Community Reaction and Ethical Debates
The incident has also sparked a strong reaction within the Kennebunk community, highlighting the ethical dimension of finding lost property. Audrey Larose, a guest at the nearby White Sails Inn, expressed her disappointment to WMTW, articulating a widely held sentiment:
“It’s not yours. It doesn’t belong to you, and you call the police, call whoever and try to get someone back here. A good Samaritan, we would never take that money ever. It’s just so sad to think that someone would actually go out there and think it was their money and just pick it all up and take it. To me, that’s stealing.”
This perspective underscores the broader moral fabric that many expect when valuable items are found. The debate between legal precedent and public expectation often arises in such cases, creating a nuanced discussion on personal responsibility and community trust.
The Broader Context of Crime in Maine
While this particular case highlights specific lost property laws, it exists within a larger landscape of crime in Maine. While Kennebunk is often described as a “sleepy town,” incidents of various crimes, from theft to more serious offenses, do occur. For example, recent news also covers cases like a robbery in Corinth leading to a pursuit and arrests in January 2025, and a Cambridge man arrested in connection with a string of thefts in March 2025. These incidents, while distinct, demonstrate that law enforcement across the state actively pursues and addresses criminal activities to maintain public safety.
What’s Next for the Kennebunk Case?
The Kennebunk Police Department is actively searching for the man captured in the dashcam images. They have urged anyone who recognizes the suspect or has any information to contact them directly. The outcome of this case will not only determine the fate of the alleged thief but will also serve as a crucial reminder of the legal and ethical boundaries surrounding found property in Maine, reinforcing that the notion of “finders keepers” holds little sway in the eyes of the law.
