Warrnambool business thanks man for honesty after near-costly mistake

Warrnambool's Gallo Bakery and Takeaway owner Alex Luu said the cash takings were placed in a paper takeaway bag on Friday to be banked later that afternoon.

Fortunately for Mr Luu, the customer who was given the money by mistake was honest Warrnambool tradesman Lachie Wilde, who said returning it was the only option.

"On Friday we were really busy with customers in the rush hour," Mr Luu said.

"A lot of customers came in and we accidentally mixed up the money in the paper bag with a plain one. We put the burger into the paper bag with the money and gave it to the customer."

Mr Luu said they didn't realise what had happened and the staff kept looking for the money, even checking the security camera footage.

"We weren't sure where it went and we all felt a bit lost," Mr Luu said. "Not long after he came back with all the money."

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Mr Wilde said he only realised when he sat down at home to eat the hamburger after finishing work, about 1.30pm.

"I pulled the burger out and saw two ten dollar notes and then I looked a bit deeper and thought 'there's a lot of money in here'," Mr Wilde said. "'I better head back and do the right thing and give it back to them'. It's the right thing to do."

Mr Wilde said he didn't know what to think when he saw all the cash in with his burger. "I had a bit of a laugh and thought 'there's only one option to bring it back'."

He finished his burger and returned the cash to the grateful Mortlake Road business owner soon after.

"Lucky it was me, rather than someone else," Mr Wilde said. "Someone else could have flogged it and gone off and done what they wanted with it."

Mr Luu said they were so relieved and happy to have the money returned, the least they could do was give Mr Wilde a Gallo voucher to say thank you.

"He was happy with that too," Mr Luu said.

"I was really surprised (it was returned). It shows there are still good people around," he added.

Mr Wilde said he would continue to support the bakery and takeaway business which Mr Luu, Kim and their family have operated for the past four years.

"Absolutely I'll be back," Mr Wilde said.

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