Man finds $2,500 in house, returns to former owners

READING, Mass. -- A surprising discovery was made during a demolition which led to an emotional meeting in Reading.

"We went through the house pretty good and we thought we found it all," said Janice Perry, former homeowner.

But, they hadn't. Hidden inside the Ash Street house the sisters sold was $2,500 in cash.

The new owner, Dr. Fred Ravens, found the money while crews were tearing down the building to expand his neighboring dental practice.

"I was looking out the window in between patients and the fellow was pulling the wall apart and the next thing I knew I saw a flutter of money," Dr. Fred Ravens.

Fifty and 100 dollar bills flew out of the rubble.

"It was everywhere and it wasn't just sitting there. It was in between the plaster and the boards so they had to hand pick it which took about an hour and a half," said Dr. Fred Ravens.

Dr. Ravens gave some of the found money to the men who helped collect it from the debris.

"I gave a couple hundred dollars to the two workers," said Dr. Fred Ravens.

But, he knew he couldn't keep the remainder.

"There was no question in my mind that it wasn't my money," Dr. Fred Ravens.

He decided to reach out to the home's former residents to return the rest.

"You know, give it back to the rightful owners," Dr. Fred Ravens.

The two former owners were shocked to hear from the man who bought their house.

"I couldn't believe it. We couldn't believe it," Dianne Fratus, former owner.

They were grateful for Dr. Raven’s thoughtfulness.

"People don't do that anymore. It’s a rare quality," Janice Perry, former owner.

"It is a rare quality," Dianne Fratus, former owner

The sisters told 7News they are also planning to share the new found money.

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