Thief returns $800 from 1980s burglary
HASTINGS, Mich. (AP) — A burglar expressing guilt about stealing $800 from a western Michigan store three decades ago has repaid the money, plus some interest.
The anonymous thief sent a note and $1,200 in $100 bills to the Barry County sheriff's department in Hastings, and they arrived Monday, WOOD-TV reported.
The writer admitted breaking into the Middle Mart on Michigan 37 in Thornapple Township north of Middleville about 30 years ago.
In a letter packed with emotion and spelling errors, the writer asks for "help in locating a man" to whom the writer owes the money.
"Anyways, I did a very bad thing that I am shamed of and have lived with this guilt," the writer said. "I can't begin to say how sorry iam but have lived with this guilt too long," the letter went on to say. "If you do find him, please tell him that I was afoolish stupid man when I did that and iam sorrie."
The letter was unsigned and had no return address.
The $1,200, while it includes some interest, falls short of making up for the loss in the dollar's purchasing power over the intervening years. The stolen $800 would be worth about $1,800 today, based on changes in the consumer price index.
WOOD-TV said the former owner of the store, now called Greg's Get-N-Go, confirmed it was broken into in the 1980s. The store was sold in 1988.
Undersheriff Bob Baker said the letter and cash came as quite a surprise.
"This doesn't happen every day," Baker said. He said the department isn't interested in reopening the case because of the time that has passed.
The anonymous thief sent a note and $1,200 in $100 bills to the Barry County sheriff's department in Hastings, and they arrived Monday, WOOD-TV reported.
The writer admitted breaking into the Middle Mart on Michigan 37 in Thornapple Township north of Middleville about 30 years ago.
In a letter packed with emotion and spelling errors, the writer asks for "help in locating a man" to whom the writer owes the money.
"Anyways, I did a very bad thing that I am shamed of and have lived with this guilt," the writer said. "I can't begin to say how sorry iam but have lived with this guilt too long," the letter went on to say. "If you do find him, please tell him that I was afoolish stupid man when I did that and iam sorrie."
The letter was unsigned and had no return address.
The $1,200, while it includes some interest, falls short of making up for the loss in the dollar's purchasing power over the intervening years. The stolen $800 would be worth about $1,800 today, based on changes in the consumer price index.
WOOD-TV said the former owner of the store, now called Greg's Get-N-Go, confirmed it was broken into in the 1980s. The store was sold in 1988.
Undersheriff Bob Baker said the letter and cash came as quite a surprise.
"This doesn't happen every day," Baker said. He said the department isn't interested in reopening the case because of the time that has passed.
If someone were to return a like amount to me for something stolen way back when, I would not, at all, feel that it fell short! (And I don't think the store owner is the one saying that it fell short).
Are we all going to just ignore the REAL story here?
"The $1,200, while it includes some interest, falls short of making up for the loss in the dollar's purchasing power over the intervening years. The stolen $800 would be worth about $1,800 today, based on changes in the consumer price index."
So, this guy stole $800. Greenspan and Bernanke have stolen how much from EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US during that time?
(and whats with the non-US bill (Canadian?)Â in that fold of cash? Check your stock photos carefully! )
@georgef You get the gist of the stock photo why be a picky pants about it? Currency is currency, deal with it.Â
To me, this comes from someone who after the passage of years has obviously gone to great lengths to right a wrong... it shows a person who has gained the perspective of age and who is trying to make peace with his troubled past... a lot of good character was in that envelope along with that money.
@tufa23 I was thinking the same thing. Also seemed a bit odd of the reporter to sharp shoot the amount sent considering the time value of money. It is clear from the context of the note that this person does not work at Goldman Sachs. (well that and he has a heart)
"This doesn't happen every day," Baker said. He said the department isn't interested in reopening the case because of the time that has passed.
Statute of limitationsÂ
@Just a dude Yup. They only had a few years (depending on the crime it fell under) from the time it was committed or discovered. They could not do anything about it if they tried -- even if the guy had signed his name.