Police to honor boys who found wallet

POST FALLS - The Post Falls boys who returned a wallet found with $782 inside on Monday haven't heard from the owner, but police will recognize the boys' good deed.

Zachary Endreson and Michael Williams, both 11, found the wallet on Third Avenue near Bay Street. The wallet also had credit cards, the owner's driver's license and Social Security number inside.

"In this day it is outstanding to see young people do the right thing because so often you hear about them doing the wrong thing," Post Falls police Chief Scot Haug said. "The proper thing to do is recognize them, which we plan to do in the near future. This was the result of good parenting and what we want to see young people do."

Haug said the police department has attempted multiple times to call the 20-year-old Post Falls male who had lost his wallet to see if he wants to thank the boys, but it hasn't been able to reach him. Haug said the male, who works at a restaurant, has a criminal history, so it's possible he doesn't want contact with law enforcement. Haug said the male is not wanted or being sought by police for any criminal charges.

Haug said when a sergeant returned the wallet to the male's mother, she was "very thankful" and offered to give the sergeant some of the money out her son's wallet to give to the boys.

"But the sergeant didn't feel comfortable taking the money that was in his wallet," Haug said. "We have never had contact with the male (over the lost wallet)."

Neither the boys nor their parents say they are looking to be rewarded for doing the right thing by turning in the wallet with everything inside.

"Maybe everything that guy owns was inside that wallet," said Brian Wilhelm, Michael's dad.

They boys say they pondered placing the wallet on the sidewalk, thinking the owner would return to get it. But the two then concluded that it would be best to give it to Zachary's father, Jeff.

Police were then contacted and took the wallet to the male's mother.