After Finding $52,000 Worth Of Treasure In Backyard, Couple Returns It To Original Owner

By Amanda Froelich Truth Theory

Since Matthew and Maria Colonna-Emanuel of Staten Island moved into their residence, they’ve known there was a metal box hiding among the foilage. However, they simply figured it was an electrical box.

After wildlife chewed away the foilage, the couple hired a landscaper to replace the greenery. What was discovered blew everyone away. Upon prying open the box, Matthew and Maria discovered that it was actually a 100-pound safe. Inside, they found cash and priceless gems amounting to approximately $52,000.

Matthew told CBS News: “And there are all these bags with hundreds and jewelry, diamonds, engagement rings, dozens of rings, gold with jade. It was stunning.”

Years in the garden had moistened the box, causing many of the valuables to become smelly. To fix this, the couple peeled apart the $100 bills and hung them up to dry. During this process, they also found a piece of paper with their neighbor’s address written on it.

This is where it gets interesting… Matthew visited the neighbor’s house, knocked on the door, and asked the tenant if they had ever been robbed. To this, they responded “yes.” The NYPD confirmed that in 2011, the neighbors filed a report for a stolen safe that contained $52,000 in valuables. At the time, officers told the family they would most likely never see the safe again.

Matthew and Maria promptly gave the safe back to their neighbors. Reports claim the family was “shaking” with emotion. The Colonna-Emanuels have not been rewarded for their generosity. However, they say they are happy enough to enjoy their “good karma.”

“A couple of people asked us, ‘Why did you return it?’,” said Maria. “It wasn’t even a question. It wasn’t ours.”

If you found a safe containing $52,000, what would you do?

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Image Credit: GoodNewsNetwork

Source: GoodNewsNetwork, CBS News