Prairieville woman finds thousands in cash, returns it PRAIRIEVILLE, LA. (AP) (wrkf) - A woman on her way to work found a wallet, flush with $2,390 in cash and credit cards, lying on the road near her home and turned it over to police.

Maria Carmouche says some of the money was scattered on the ground so she picked up what she could find, put everything in a plastic bag and delivered it to Louisiana State Police.

Troopers couldn't reach the wallet's owner, Stephen Buford, by telephone so they went to his home in Prairieville to deliver the wallet in person.

Buford says he had sold his truck the day before so he could buy a car from a friend, but he had lost the wallet with the money inside.

State police Sergeant Markus Smith on Monday commended Carmouche's actions and publicly recognized her for her honesty and integrity. © Copyright 2009, wrkf