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BPD Honors Homeless Man Who Returned Cash-Filled Backpack

BOSTON (CBS) - A 54-year-old homeless man is being a called a hero. On Saturday Glen James found a bag accidentally left behind in front of the TJ Maxx store at the South Bay Mall in Dorchester. Inside the bag contained $2,400 in cash and $39,000 in American Express travelers checks.James could've kept the money and ran, but instead he turned it into police.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports

BPD Honors Homeless Man Who Returned Cash-Filled Backpack

"I just want to thank Mr. James for what he did. It really is a remarkable tribute to him and his honesty," Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said. The bag and the money has been returned to the rightful owner who police say is an employee of the South Bay Mall. At Boston Police Headquarters James was presented a citation for his good deed.

"Good. It feels very good," James said. James has several medical issues including a severe speech impediment. He did write a letter saying why he returned the money. "Even if I were desperate for money, I would not have kept even a penny of the money I found. I am extremely religious-God has always very well looked after me," James wrote.

James says he's been homeless since 2005 after he lost his job as a file clerk at courthouse in Boston. Now he lives in a shelter and spends much of his days panhandling.

"A lot of people look down on homeless people but we got a homeless man that needs the money and he's being a part of the solution not the problem," Boston resident Pete Dixon said.

A fund has been set up online to raise money for James.

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