Although he couldn’t take home the $135,000, Nuñez didn’t leave empty-handed. Currently enrolled in community college with aspirations of pursuing a degree in criminal justice, Nuñez received a warm invitation from the Albuquerque police force to apply for a position as a public safety officer, as he’s still too young at 19 to become a full-fledged police officer.
CNN also reported that Nuñez received $500 gift cards from at least three local businesses in the area, in addition to a $100 gift card from a local restaurant. Albuquerque ESPN Radio 101.7 FM presented him with sports memorabilia as a token of appreciation for his noble act, including a signed football from a former NFL player who was drafted from the University of New Mexico, Brian Urlacher. This generous gift was complemented by six season tickets for UNM football.
After reporting the discovery of the money, Nuñez shared with CNN what he did next:
“I went back home and finished my online shopping.”
Following his visit to the police station that Sunday, Nuñez promptly contacted his mother. His parents had immigrated to the United States from Mexico in the 1990s, and his mother was bursting with pride.
Nuñez recalled that his parents instilled important values in him, and it was these principles that guided him to make the right choice. He understood the significance of returning what he had found.
