Myrtle Beach Restaurateur Returns $12,000 Found in Sunglasses Case

Sak Yiengjuntuek, owner of Lemongrass Vietnamese Pho & Thai Cuisine in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, recently made headlines for his act of kindness after discovering $12,000 in cash hidden in a sunglasses case. The money was found while Yiengjuntuek was cleaning out an old cabinet that had been left behind by previous tenants. This discovery came after a fire at a neighboring Wholesale Furniture Gallery on New Year’s Day had caused power outages for several businesses, including his own, for months.

When power was finally restored, Yiengjuntuek took the opportunity to clear out the furniture left behind. While rummaging through the cabinet, he noticed a sunglasses case and decided to take a look inside. To his astonishment, he found it filled with stacks of $100 bills. "I was so shocked," he recalled, immediately recognizing that the money belonged to the previous owner of the cabinet.

Initially, Yiengjuntuek faced difficulties in reaching the former owner due to a disconnected phone number. However, during an interview with WLBT3, he remembered another contact number and was able to get in touch. The relief in the owner’s voice was evident, especially as he was currently facing significant health challenges that made the return of the money particularly timely.

Since the incident, Yiengjuntuek has received recognition from the local community, with residents expressing their appreciation for his honesty. He shared a moment with a postal worker who acknowledged his good deed, saying, "Hey, that’s my boy, I saw you on the news, you did the right thing." Yiengjuntuek expressed his pride in being a positive part of the community and hopes that his actions will encourage others to act with integrity. "I just want to say: Do the right thing. Don’t give up honesty," he stated, emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior in everyday life.