my breath caught. Nestled among the grocery bags was a small black backpack I had never seen before.
Fear rushed through me. I stepped back and immediately called the police. When they arrived, they carefully inspected the bag.
Inside, they found stolen jewelry and personal IDs belonging to several people. The officer explained that a theft ring had been targeting shoppers, using public parking lots to hide stolen goods in unsuspecting people’s cars. That mysterious woman had likely spotted someone slipping the bag into my trunk and used the receipt as a discreet way to warn me.
Because of her quick thinking, the police were able to track down the group and return the stolen items to their rightful owners. I never saw the woman again, but every time I shop now, I stay extra alert—and I always check the back of my receipts.
