A retired federal police officer whose wallet was stolen on Oct. 9 at a Sterling business got a surprise in the mail on Thursday – his wallet.

Harry Holdren Jr., 82, said the wallet was returned almost intact. Missing from the wallet was $342 and possibly a credit card, but his driver’s license, Social Security card and, most importantly, his peace officer’s badge were in place.

Harry Holdren says he believes whoever stole the wallet likely grew a guilty conscience and returned the wallet.

“I don’t think it was just found because if they just threw it out some of the credit cards would have fallen out,” he said. “… It’s amazing that they would take time to mail it to me.”

Loudoun County deputies, he said, checked the envelope and wallet for fingerprints. He’s hoping they can catch the person responsibility for the theft.

According to reports, Harry Holdren Jr. had put his wallet on the counter at the Bottom Dollar Food Store about 3 p.m. Oct. 9 to pay for items.

Holdren dropped some coins on the floor and when he bent down to pick them up, the customer in line behind him snatched his wallet, according to Holdren’s son, Daniel Holdren.
Harry Holdren didn’t realize his wallet was missing until after he left the store, according to Liz Mills, spokesperson for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

The son said his father spent 36 years as a police officer with the CIA. The wallet contained $300, credit cards, “irreplaceable photos of children and grandchildren,” his Social Security card, driver’s license and his peace officer’s badge.

“For that to be stolen, that’s a black eye to any peace officer,” Daniel Holdren said.

The man was caught on video surveillance taking the wallet, Mills said. The Sheriff’s Office is working on getting an image of the alleged thief out to the public.

The suspect is described as a black man, about 6 feet tall, with a heavy build. He was last seen wearing a dark colored shirt.

However, Harry Holdren Jr. said he believes the man’s face was also covered by a hat.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to call the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021.