The California man whose wife's ashes were in the back of a stolen car is thrilled that the vehicle has been recovered.
"Today is one of the best days of my life," Melvin Hayes, 80, told FOX 40. "Thursday was probably the worst day."
Hayes, whose wife passed away a few weeks ago, was on his way to a priest to have her ashes blessed last week when he stopped for a car wash. He returned to find that his red Ford Fusion had been stolen with the urn containing his wife's ashes in the back seat.
The vehicle, which was stolen Thursday at Premier Car Wash in Elk Grove, was found along with the urn. California Highway Patrol officers called Hayes around 2 a.m. on Saturday to give him the good news.
"It means everything. Now I can properly take care of my wife's ashes," Hayes said.
The couple had been married for nearly 50 years.
The car was recovered near the city's port and two arrests have been made in connection with the incident, NBC reported.
The woman suspected of stealing Hayes' car is now in custody, according to FOX 40. In the bizarre incident, a woman described as black, short, heavy-set and in her 40s, walked up to Hayes in the Sacramento car wash and struck up a conversation. Hayes said she hugged him several times and asked for money for a soda.
Premier Car Wash employees apparently thought the woman was Hayes' girlfriend and handed her the keys when she came back later with the claim ticket, which she likely stole from Hayes that afternoon.
After so much anxiety, Hayes hopes justice will be done.
"I hope she pays for her transgression, her sins. I hope she pays," Hayes said.
But ultimately, he's just glad to have his wife's ashes back safely.
"I feel great," Hayes told NBC. "My heart is at ease, my soul is relieved."
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