Homeless man will keep $60,000 he found

BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (CNN/KENS) - Is it finder’s keepers? Bastrop County leaders weren’t too sure after a homeless man found a bag of money and gold at Fisherman's Park.

Last January, the man found the bag of goodies -- 70 $100 bills and 40 Krugerrand gold coins from South Africa -- on the ground while he was at Fisherman’s Park. The stash is valued anywhere between $60,000 and as much as $77,000, according to numbers published in the Austin American Statesman Wednesday.

Timothy Yost noticed the money was wet, so he reportedly took it to a local bank to exchange it for dry money.

The bank called the police, who tested the money to see if it had been in contact with any illegal substances.

"We've actually had one person who said it was his money but has yet rescinded that and signed a statement saying he does not wish to pursue claim to those funds any longer," said Bastrop Police Chief Michael Blake.

Blake said the man didn't want to bring any attention to himself.

City council then had to get involved to see if Yost should be able to keep the money.

“I think they should give him the money," said one woman visiting Fisherman's Park. "You know, if you're out enjoying the park, it's a pretty great find."

City council members decided on Tuesday night that Yost should keep the money and gold and get it within 48 hours.

Yost wasn’t in the meeting and is in the Bastrop County Jail, booked on May 29 on charges of public intoxication and criminal trespassing.