Missing Purse Shows Up 11 Years Later

Eleven years ago, Jean Franco lost her then-stylish bulging black leather handbag, along with her house and car keys, many credit cards, a cell phone and some cash.

She was working in the customer service department at the now defunct Steinbach's Department store in Trumbull when someone stole her bag, she told the Connecticut Post. 

"I remember that night very well, and it was extremely traumatic. I felt violated. I was sick that someone had all my information, all my keys and knew where we lived," she told the newspaper.

Last Friday, a Shelton family was cleaning out the garage, found the purse inside a sealed locker and tracked down Franco.

Jennifer Thompson, 33, said she ended up with the large metal case that included 28 lockers because her sister-in-law worked at Dress Barn, in the same shopping mall where Steinbach was located. When Steinbach's closed, the store was making unusual items available for just a few dollars.

The women met at the mall.

"I can't believe it, but that's it. That's my old handbag, oh my God," Franco said, the Post reports. 

The wallet was filled with photos, $76 in cash and even a Steinbach's payroll check dated Dec. 4, 1997.  Franco also found gum, car fresheners, a brush, a comb and a bag of change.  Only the driver's license was gone. 

"It's very strange nobody took the money and credit cards and I still wonder how it got inside that locker," she said.

Franco said when she got the call from Thompson, "I was stunned. I became so emotional and excited you would have thought I won the lottery."

Leave Comments