Niagara Regional Police say a large sum of cash will be returned to its rightful owner after a member of the public showed up at the front desk of the police station in Welland.
Police say the Good Samaritan recognized two females who had been staying with him who were wanted in connection with a reported theft in November.
The initial police investigation determined a member of the public had entered the Welland Walmart to purchase some items and set down a bag he had been carrying that contained more than $5,000 cash.
The complainant mistakenly walked away from the bag. When he realized what had happened, he returned minutes later, only to find the bag was gone.
Two females were observed picking up the bag and leaving the store, police said.
On Nov. 26, the NRPS issued a media release relating to the investigation.
On Dec. 28, a member of the public attended the front desk at the 3 District NRPS office in Welland.
He reported the two females had been briefly staying with him and that they had recently returned to Mexico.
The man saw that the NRPS was investigating a theft and recognized the women, police said. He was able to locate the missing black bag left behind in his residence and turned over $5,500.
In a news release, Niagara Regional Police thanked the media and the public for their help in the case.
"The NRPS would also like to thank the member of the public for their honesty and integrity for turning the money over to be returned to the rightful owner," police said.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the investigating officers at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1023300.
