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As far as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait.
But for one Pukekohe resident, her luck was all in the hands of a Good Samaritan.
Paula had just parked on King Street to pick up a prescription and had placed a sentimental necklace on her lap.
“I kept thinking to myself, ‘remember not to jump out of the car and forget it’. I parked and then of course just completely forgot it was there.”
But it wasn’t until Saturday morning that she realised the necklace had fallen out.
“I looked everywhere, in my handbag at least 20 times, hoping that a secret pocket would suddenly appear and it would be in there.
“I looked all through the car, nothing, I was pretty devastated.”
Paula says the rose gold pendant belonged to her great aunt and was a family heirloom.
On Sunday night, she drove back along King Street, hoping for a miracle, but found nothing.
“On Monday morning, I went into the Pukekohe Police Station, but I really didn’t think anyone would have handed it in.
“They hadn’t, so I went to some of the shops to ask if anyone had handed it in.”
Paula still had no luck.
That was until lunchtime, when a call came from the Pukekohe Police.
“They said someone had handed in the necklace.
“I couldn’t believe it. I was just in shock, shocked that someone found it and handed it in.
“I did have a bit of faith, because I know I would, but I’m just so thankful, so grateful, and so surprised.
“I feel like I’m whole again.”
Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes, says it was heartwarming to learn Paula’s necklace had been found and returned.
“It just goes to show there are still so many people who don’t hesitate to do the right thing.
“Our officers love a happy ending, and we were all stoked that this precious family jewel landed in the right hands.”
Paula says she wanted to give the woman a gift to say thank you, but instead the Good Samaritan asked for something else.
“She said if I insisted, then a donation to the Franklin Hospice would be lovely, so that’s exactly what I did.”
