THOUSAND OAKS : Conscience Gets the Better of Thief

Someone’s guilty conscience turned into a blessing recently for two Thousand Oaks restaurant owners.

Agoura residents Annie Kunewa and Bob Odell, owners of Eggcetera restaurant in the Janss Mall, learned Monday morning that the contents of the cash register--$80.60--had been stolen.

“We already had customers, so all of the servers and the busboys had to pitch in and make a bank until we could get there with more money,” Kunewa said.

The theft apparently had taken place after one of the back doors was left unlocked, Kunewa said.

However, Kunewa’s anxiety turned to relief later Monday when an employee told her a man who identified himself as a security guard brought in a crumpled envelope containing $80.60.

“She told me the security guard said he found the envelope in the planter behind the restaurant,” Kunewa said. Written in large letters on the envelope was “Not mine to take!! Sorry!!!

“All the money was in there--it was really great,” Kunewa said.

“I’m really glad the money was returned,” Kunewa said. “We’re all tempted to do things; he was tempted, but he couldn’t live with it.”

Kunewa, who has been co-owner of Eggcetera for three years, said the theft would have added to the difficulties she and Odell have experienced in the wake of the recession. The restaurant was vandalized and robbed of $2,000 worth of alcohol and money six months ago, she said.