A sentimental money box stolen from Barnitts was returned home less than 24 hours later.
A thief stole three charity boxes from the Colliergate store on Sunday (29 September), which were chained to the till.
Sally Thompson, from Barnitts, took to Facebook appealing for the money boxes back and offered a reward in doing so.
The post was met with disappointment and shared across York.
One comment read, “We seem to reach a new low every week!”
Aside from the donations, the sentimental value of one particular box meant the staff were desperate for its return.
The wooden RSPCA charity box has belonged to Barnitts for over 50 years and Sally told YorkMix, “it’s part of the fixtures”.
Sally remembers the box from when she was a child, and her late father wouldn’t let anyone get rid of it.
“It has real sentimental value to the shop,” Sally said.
The man involved in the incident was caught yesterday morning, but was found without the charity boxes.
Luckily, all three of the missing charity boxes were later located in Silver Street toilets.
“The RSPCA guy phoned to tell us someone had found the boxes in the toilet, so the police officer and a member of staff went to collect them,” Sally told YorkMix.
The two newer charity boxes had been opened up and damaged, but their treasured RSPCA box luckily remained unscathed.
Sally and the rest of the staff at Barnitts were overjoyed, telling YorkMix: “we’re reunited with our own little friend again, we’ve just temporarily put him in retirement upstairs for the moment.”
Barnitts want to express their appreciation for everyone who shared their appeal, and managed to reunite their treasured box back home.