Lost violin turns up in shopping cart

Toronto -- A prized violin lost in Toronto last week was found in the shopping cart of a woman who roams the streets with all her belongings.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra violinist Jim Wallenberg was distracted last Thursday while getting onto a streetcar and left his 1972 Ansaldo Poggi instrument behind. He circled back, but it was gone, the Toronto Star reported. He posted notices offering a $1,000 reward for its return.

Saturday, Wayne Wulff spotted what appeared to be a violin case sticking out of a shopping cart pushed by a woman in the same part of the city where both he and Wallenberg live. Wulff called Wallenberg, who told him to negotiate with her the next time he saw her.

It wasn't until Tuesday when Wulff spotted the woman again, still with the violin case.

He told the Star he offered her all the money in his wallet -- $35 --and she accepted but then also demanded a ring he was wearing.

She got both, and Wallenberg said he'll give Wulff the $1,000 reward, the report said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.