$5600 stupid tax.
I guess that money is toast…
:D/
This is so obviously a scam by the couple. No way would a husband go to Target on his own initiative.
^^^
You think the couple scammed Target? That is possible, but what was the time lapse between the husband returning the oven and contacting the store?
If the person who came to get the money is caught, he’ll likely spill the beans to save his own neck.
[QUOTE=""]
However, upon agreeing to hold the money, the store arguably entered into a voluntary bailment situation and had a duty to use due care in holding the money. Giving the money to a random stranger could possibly be a violation of the duty of due care. <<
[/QUOTE]
This is what I was wondering about.
The couple intend to sue Target for what? Recovery of the $5600, with Target to pay their legal fees? And the store employee gets the new toaster oven? Not much profit there.
Very likely a store employee heard about the story and the word got out, as one would expect under the unusual circumstances. Either a store employee called up a buddy to come in to the store and give the claim a go, intending to split the proceeds, or word simply filtered out through the dirtbag grapevine and some third-party felon came in and tried his luck.
When the dust settles, it will probably be determined that the manager’s actions were inappropriate: Target had an obligation to ensure reasonable care of the (lost) money, in this case, for someone they knew to be the owner, which they didn’t fulfill by not proving ownership. Target will end up compensating the couple, perhaps under threat of legal action, but I don’t think it would get that far because the negative press would be far costlier than $5600. The manager might end up fired, depending on his culpability, and between the security camera footage and eyewitness description, it’s not looking so good for dirtbag, either, but he probably had an enjoyable few days.
But I can see why the couple would be suspected. Look at that photo in the article. Look at how devious they look. She’s about to remove a nicely baked croissant from a clearly functioning toaster oven. Obviously some kind of scheme is in the works. 
Dunboyne,
I think that photo of a couple in the kitchen is a stock photo. Doubt its the couple in question.
The legal analysis was meant to be a silly, tongue-in-cheek exercise. Wasn’t suggesting anyone should sue anyone else.
To add to the conspiracy theories out here… Small claims court? Usually used for $ recovery up to a certain limit. It is $5,000 here in WA I think. Could it be $5,600 wherever they can file? 
Did the store actually count the money? Or was it a pack of old newspaper with $20 dollar bills on the top and bottom?
^^^A la that scene in The Sting?
I read this story and…
Some of the comments after the article are pretty funny.