GOLETA - Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Deputy Tony Kouremetis (kore-MET-us) stepped on a lump of cash while waiting in line for his coffee at
Coffee Mojo yesterday (1/12/2010) at about 11 am . After he picked up the money - all 100 dollar bills, she showed the money to the cashier who was equally surprised to see the dough.
The sheriff, who was there to grab a cup of coffee while on break, had the barista point out the person who she had served - an elderly couple. Before approaching the couple Kouremetis counted the money ($9,400).
Kouremtis then spoke with the couple and learned that the 66-year old man had recently lost his wallet and checkbook and had taken out the large sum to pay his bills including a stop at the DMV next door.
Deputy Kouremetis was able to confirm that the man had indeed made a payment at the DMV with a hundred dollar bill from the stack of bills marked $10,000.
Authorities said "The money had apparently fallen out of the man’s bag when he stopped at Coffee Mojo. Fortunately Deputy Kouremetis was the first person to see the cash which he returned to the man after determining the man was indeed the owner of the money. Later, when asked about the incident, Deputy Kouremetis simply said, 'That’s what we’re supposed to do.'"