LAWRENCE, Mass. -- Police in Lawrence are beginning to unravel the story of a mysterious safe found in a parking lot stuffed with almost $180,000.

VIDEO: Police Discover $178,000 In Abandoned Safe

Firefighters out on a routine patrol Friday discovered the 2,000-pound safe, which had been discarded in a lot frequently used as a trash dump near 72 Cross St., and reported it to police.

The safe was taken to police headquarters, where officers labored to break through the back wall of the metal container.

Inside, they discovered thousands of dollars in cash dating, at the latest, to 1982, according to Det. Thomas Cuddy.

Cuddy said that the department is following up on several leads related to robberies in the area during that time, but declined to elaborate.

Police canvassed the neighborhood for evidence and they believe the safe was deposited in the lot about three weeks ago.

It turned out the safe had been in a Methuen, Mass., shoe repair shop, but the owner had it hauled away recently, apparently unaware of the contents of the safe.

The tow truck driver who hauled it away tried to sell it for scrap metal but was turned down, so he dumped it in his Lawrence yard.

Now the children of the shoe repair shop's original owner are claiming the loot, saying it was likely in the safe for decades.

Police are holding on to the safe until they can determine ownership.