Criminal With a Conscience?
Jami McElrath was thrilled when she received her camera that had been stolen.
Dec. 11, 2008 — -- When a thief broke into Jami McElrath's car as she and her family ate at a restaurant after a trip to Six Flags two weeks ago, she was more than dismayed when she realized her camera had been stolen.
Not only did the camera have the fresh film of their Arlington, Texas, theme-park trip, but it also held sentimental value for McElrath, who has inoperable cancer.
"I'm just heartbroken to lose it," she said about the camera. "It was my father's. He passed away of a heart attack two years ago."
It was the same camera her father had used during the Vietnam War; it was the one that had captured her childhood and the one she had planned to use to fill a scrapbook of memories for her children to remember her after her death.
"I just want that camera back. I just want those memories back," the Edmond, Okla., resident said.
ABC News Dallas affiliate WFAAaired McElrath's story and it touched a lot of people -- apparently the thief, too.
A few days after the story aired, a man called WFAA and said the reporter should look behind a red car in the company's parking garage for the camera.
"The guy didn't leave his name. He said he felt bad about it and wanted to get it returned," said WFAA reporter Jim Douglass.
Douglass first checked with police and then opened the box. The camera had the same serial number and was dented just like McElrath had described.
He went to her home and surprised her with what could be the ultimate Christmas gift.
Even before Douglass told her the camera had been returned, McElrath said even if authorities catch the assailant, she doesn't want to press charges.
"People are good. That's what I'm saying. I don't think this person who took my camera is out to hurt people. I think they have a desperate situation they're in."
"It would make my Christmas to get my camera back," McElrath said before Douglass revealed the surprise.
When the reporter finally pulled out the camera, McElrath was ecstatic. She tearily hugged and kissed Douglass to show her appreciation.
And she had a message for the thief. "Whoever you are, thank you so much. Thank you for having a conscience and bringing it back. I can't tell you what it means to me."
WFAA contributed to this story.
