Repentant thief pays Pennsylvania firm for hammer he stole decades ago

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania tool-supply company says somebody mailed a $45 check to pay for a hammer stolen decades ago.

Lynne Gramling, president of Central Contractors' Supply Co., tells the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat that the check arrived earlier this month.

It included an anonymous letter that says the writer stole a hammer 25 to 30 years ago. It reads, "Enclosed is $45 to cover the hammer plus a little extra for interest. I'm sorry I stole it, but have changed my ways."

Gramling is donating the money to the Salvation Army.

As for the check, she wants the sender to know: "It was a gift from the heart and I appreciated it."

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Information from: The Tribune-Democrat, http://www.tribune-democrat.com