Man finds Ill. woman's wallet that had been stolen in 1973

The Associated Press

ALTON, Ill. --

Sandy Baumberger says she never expected to see her wallet again when it was stolen 35 years ago.

But it has been found by a 30-year-old dental student who tracked her down and returned it.

Eric Wherley says he found the wallet in a bathroom stall at school after a water pipe broke and loosened some ceiling tiles. The thief who stole the wallet apparently had hidden it in the drop ceiling.

The dark-blue patent leather wallet contained Baumberger's driver's license, library cards and Social Security card. It also had her student ID, a grocery list, and cloth swatches from her bridesmaids' dresses.

Baumberger says she and her husband are planning to give Wherley a gift for his efforts.