Anna Maria Island officers get routine reports of property found — watches, wallets, purses, bicycles.
And Island plumbers routinely found items — old jewelry, tools, toys, shells — when they inspect ducts and drains, pipes and hoses.
But not too often do Island plumbers have to telephone Island police about found property.
On Oct. 20, the Holmes Beach Police Department received a call from Air & Energy on Avenue C, where a plumber with the company reported the discovery of cash while inspecting an unoccupied residential property. For security, HBPD withheld the address and the name of the property owner.
Air & Energy plumber Jerry E. Laliberte, a 50-year veteran of the job, was working in the home, conducting routine maintenance of air-conditioning equipment when he opened a bedroom ceiling vent.
Inside an air duct, Laliberte found two rectangular packages wrapped in aluminum foil.
Curious, he opened one package and found cash — a lot of cash.
Laliberte didn’t open the other package, but instead called the Air & Energy office, where an administrator telephoned the homeowners and and HBPD.
“That’s just Jerry’s good character,” said Stewart Moon Jr. of Air & Energy, where on Nov. 4 co-workers were beaming and chuckling over the low-key Laliberte’s celebrity status.
The second package also contained money.
When HBPD officers tallied up Laliberte’s discovery, they counted to almost $20,000 — $17,910 in cash and $1,400 in travelers checks. Most of the cash was in $20s, $50s and $100s.
“This is a once in a lifetime thing,” Moon said. “We’re just so proud of Jerry and what he did.”
The owners of the inherited property apparently were aware that their benefactor stashed away money — they’d found cash before.
As news of Laliberte’s find and deed — turning in the cash — spread last week, the plumber and Air & Energy were showered in praise.
The company’s Facebook page, featuring photos from Laliberte’s press interviews and links to stories, also featured congratulations.
Lorna Yankee of Air & Energy summed up the excitement in a post: “New toilet flapper: $15. New toilet fill valve: $25. Being able to trust your local plumber: PRICELESS.”