A Taiwanese music student got an early Christmas present on Friday; the rediscovery of her rare violin that was believed to be lost.
Philadelphia police say the instrument valued at $172,000 was left in an overhead bin on a Megabus late Tuesday night.
Muchen Hsieh, 19, tells KYW-TV she noticed she didn't have the violin after getting picked up by the family hosting her visit to the Philadelphia area. She called the bus company but was told the instrument hadn't been found on board.
Hsieh says the violin was loaned to her by a Taiwanese culture foundation as she studies at the New England Conservatory in Boston. It was made in 1835 by Vincenzo Jorio in Naples.
Police say the cleaning service on the bus removed the violin Tuesday night after Hsieh left it. They then took it to the DRPA in Camden once they found out how valuable it was. Philadelphia Police were then called on Friday and the instrument was returned to its rightful owner.
"It's such a relief," said Hsieh. "I called my parents. They were like 'thank God!'"
Police are not filing any charges and referred to the incident as a "Christmas miracle."
