Good Samaritan Teen Returns Woman’s Lost Purse, Receives $17,000 Reward

Adrian Rodriguez, 17, went above and beyond to return the lost purse he found to its owner. So many others were inspired by the young man’s good deed!

Adrian Rodriquez found the green purse in Chula Vista, California’s Ralph’s parking lot in June 2022. He chose to personally deliver it to the owner’s home door rather than bring it inside the store.

Adrian located a driver’s license in the handbag and brought it to the address he’d found on the identification. The purse belongs to Eliana Martin.

However, it turned out that the owner no longer resided at the location. Eliana and Melina Marquez had been roommates in the past, but Eliana had since moved out but she hadn’t updated her address.

Melina wasn’t there either, so Rodriquez left it with another relative at the house and went on his way.

“My mom always told me since I was little always to do the right thing when nobody’s watching,” said Adrian. “If someone found my stuff, I’d want them to bring it back to me,”

Usually @nbcsandiego stories featuring Ring video are bad. This one? This is the GOOD NEWS we all need. #NBC7 at 4:30 and 6:00. pic.twitter.com/okRboAK4CI

— Joe Little🎥🏀 (@LittleJoeTV) June 27, 2022

Having been moved by his kindness and presence, Melina wanted to track down the young man, so she posted the Ring video of Rodriquez on Facebook and the Chula Vista community.

“I looked into the Ring camera, and I was like, ‘Oh my God. He’s such a young kid.’ I was like, ‘We need to find him and just give him a little piece of gratitude.’” recalled Melina.

Melina found Adrian right away and set up a face-to-face meeting for herself, Eliana, and Adrian.

The women praised the young man and even created a GoFundMe page to express their appreciation for returning the lost purse. With a goal of $1,000, they raised more than $17,000 instead.

“He could have just taken whatever was in the purse, you know, and he didn’t,” Melina said. “He brought it back, and I just think that speaks a lot about him.”

Although Eliana was happy to receive the bag back, Adrian’s moral example had a greater impact.

“Every parent right now hopes that their children grow up to be just like this young gentleman,” concluded Melina.