You know it’s a bad sign when an employee would rather bury funds in a local park than keep it in the company coffers.

Aleksander Spasic, a Serbian bank clerk, was recently picked up by local police at a cafe for stealing nearly 1.5 million euros from his job.

That’s about as clear as things get. Spasic left the branch office on Saturday afternoon with his briefcase stuffed with the cash. He left a note for his boss which read: “I am sorry, but I had to do it.”

He then proceeded to bury the stolen money in six holes in a nearby park. Most criminals would start a shopping spree or flee the country, but things work a little differenly in Serbia. Spasic waited at a cafe, phoned the police and asked: “How long do I have to wait for you?”

Serbian police are still questioning Spasic, and claim his motives still aren’t clear.

Why would someone go through all that trouble to put money in a park? We’re betting he wanted the paper notes to be at home with the trees. It’s crazy enough to make sense.

Tags: Bank clerks, Buried treasure, Serbia, Stolen money