Stolen money returned to man in West Valley City

Someone returned almost $900 to its rightful owner after it was taken from a West Valley City Smith's store.

Ahmed al-Sarraf went to the Western Union on Dec. 10 at Smith's on 4065 S. Redwood Road to pick up money that his father had wired to him to help with rent and food, West Valley City police wrote in a statement Friday

Al-Sarraf put the cash in an envelope and went on to buy several items from the grocery store, police wrote. While checking out, he set the envelope down and forgot to take it with him when he left, police wrote. The cashier noticed the envelop after Al-Sarraf left and asked the next man in line if the envelope was his. The man said it was and took the envelope before leaving.

Al-Sarraf realized he had forgotten the money and was "devastated" when he learned it was gone, police wrote.

But on Friday, an unidentified man turned in an envelope containing $890, nearly the amount that was taken on Monday.

Officers took the money to al-Sarraf's home.

"Someone out there had the heart to return the stolen money to the rightful owner," police wrote.