Restore Hope for a Family in Need

Thank you to anyone who finds their way here, it is appreciated more than you know. Last month, my wife lost her job and we’ve been struggling to come up with ways to find work to replace the loss of income. Recently, we’ve both taken up any side work we can, working from when the sun comes up until it goes down. Our kids haven't felt the impact of it until yesterday, when my wallet fell out of my shorts as I entered my truck at a gas station.

I crossed paths with a man when I left, asked him how he was doing, just trying to be nice and neighborly. He was parked next to my truck at the gas station. Upon me pulling away, the man came out and began working under the hood of his car. As he did, he noticed my wallet on the ground and walked over on the camera and picked it up. He raised it to a similar truck right after, thinking it was me, showing he had found it. Unfortunately, I didn't arrive back until 30 seconds later, speeding to get back. I had a sick feeling after realizing I didn't have it. I had believed I could have left it on the counter at the gas station. When I arrived, I saw the same man I had asked how his day was, who asked me the same after, and thought he would tell me if he had picked it up. He told me no. The clerk at the gas station asked me if I wanted to check the cameras so we could see exactly what happened and alleviate my concerns. I had a considerable amount of cash in my wallet that was for our bills due on the 1st, rent, and groceries. Also, credit cards, insurance cards, ID, and a few other personal items, drawings, and notes from my daughter with a heart that I carried everywhere with me. My ID and credit card were crucial parts of our side work we have been doing and until I have them replaced, we cannot work for the next 2-4 weeks when my ID and cards arrive. This has devastated our family. My kids couldn't understand how someone could look me in the eyes and lie like that, stealing their gifts to me and our money.

When I reviewed the camera footage, it was 100% crystal clear what happened. Today, the clerk reached out from the Chevron on Dash Point Road with the man's license plate number. He knew him as a regular, took my number, and called today when the man showed back up to help us again. A police report was filed and we are still waiting to hear from them in person. We just received confirmation today that our report was accepted and a case number has been established. We’re praying for him to do the right thing but it doesn't seem like he will and now we are hoping for justice.