Case of Krugerrands reopened in Texas

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BASTROP, Texas, July 9 (UPI) -- Police in Bastrop, Texas, said they are reopening an investigation into $78,000 worth of cash and South African gold coins a homeless man found on a riverbank.

Police had decided in June that Timothy Yost, the 46-year-old man who discovered the cash and Krugerrands, he could keep the unclaimed money and he left the state with his windfall, the Austin (Texas) American-Statesman reported Sunday.

But now, police said they are taking another look into the matter after receiving calls from people claiming the money and from other police departments seeking possible links to cases of stolen money in their cities.

"The case is active due to inquiries from other agencies from two or three other states regarding their investigation of Krugerrands," said Police Chief Michael Blake.

In January, Yost found 70 $100 bills and 40 Krugerrands in a plastic bag along the Colorado River. The Bastrop Police Department seized the cash for 90 days while police officers searched for the rightful owner.

After that time period past, Yost hired attorney Aleta Peacock who filed a lawsuit against the city seeking to get the money back to her client after the city could not locate the true owner.

Peacock said she was unaware the investigation had been reopened.

"Our position is that we don't want any part of this. We settled the lawsuit, and we got our money. We're done," said Peacock, who added that neither the city attorney nor police have contacted her.