A bank teller's mistake at a Delanco Federal Saving Bank turned into a big pay day for 27 year old Felipe DePadula.
DePadula came into the Cinnaminson bank to cash a $300 check, but police say the teller misread it and gave him $3,000 instead.
"You definitely notice the difference in $3,000 dollars as oppose to $300 dollars," said Detective Sgt. William Covert.
Action News got an exclusive look at the bank's surveillance video as DePadula watched the teller count out 27 one hundred dollar bills and the rest in $20s. She stacked the wad of cash into an envelope and he took off.
"It's pretty obvious with all the bank surveillance that somebody's going to realize that something is wrong and be able to narrow it down to what happened to it," said Sgt. Covert.
Police say when the bank asked the man to bring back the envelope of cash he claimed he lost it and the money at a Target store in nearby Delran, N.J.
"He either put it away or spent it or has it hidden somewhere, but I'm sure he didn't lose it," Sgt. Covert said.
Police say DePadula even filed a false report with Delran police to cover his tracks.
Investigators picked him up Wednesday night and charged him with theft.
"To me it's not a big thing about the money, it's more of the morals and doing what's right," said Craig Jones.
DePadula is originally from Brazil and lives in Riverside, N.J. He works in construction but has been out of work since he was injured on the job.
Bank customers say that there is no excuse for his actions, especially since the teller is facing a reprimand for her mistake.
"I want the money I earned myself, and I feel like even in hard times, you can always find a way to get back rather than stealing," said Christie Lane.
