Remorse or fear of getting caught? Calif. thief caught on camera returns $1,500 purse

Remorse or fear? Taped shoplifter returns loot

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE, Calif. — It’s a case of buyer’s remorse — only without the buying.

In the Southern California city of La Canada Flintridge north of Los Angeles, police say a shoplifter who snatched a $1,500 purse from a boutique has returned it to the store, with a note of apology.

Store owner Joanna Nelson says she found the purse at the back door Thursday.

The theft was captured on camera Saturday and police released the video footage to the media. Nelson says she hoped the publicity would help catch the thief, but she never imagined it would lead to the return of the purse.

Police are examining the bag for fingerprints.