Boris Pavlovic charged with theft after pocketing $600 he found at a servo

The playground rule of ‘finders keepers’ didn’t hold much sway in court for a man who found $600 on the ground.

Boris John Pavlovic fronted Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: Brad Fleet

A man who thought it was his “lucky day” when he found $600 on the ground outside a servo has been slapped with a fine for not reporting the cash.

Boris John Pavlovic fronted the Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to one count of theft.

On March 30 last year, a woman filled up her car at a United fuel station on the Midland Highway.

The woman took her phone out of her pocket to pay for the fuel and $600 in cash slipped out.

She did not realise she dropped the money and left the servo.

Soon after, Pavlovic arrived and noticed the twelve $50 notes on the ground.

He looked around, picked up the cash and left.

Boris Pavlovic found $600 at a United service station.

Pavlovic made no effort to report the cash to staff or to inquire about its owner.

When questioned by police over the incident, Pavlovic said he thought it was his “lucky day.”

“I looked at it and thought finders, keepers,” Pavlovic said.

“I didn’t mean no harm.”

Pavlovic, who has recently relocated to Perth, told the court he returned the $600 to police when questioned.

“I gave it right back,” Pavlovic said.

The police prosecutor had no record that he paid the money back but accepted this submission.

Magistrate Ann McGarvie said finders, keepers did not apply and people should make reasonable efforts to return cash and property they find.

“If you find property that is not yours, you are not entitled to keep it,” Ms McGarvie said.

Pavlovic was convicted and fined $300 for the theft.

Originally published as Boris Pavlovic charged with theft after pocketing $600 he found at a servo