Car Keys and Fob Thought Lost In Scarborough, Maine Snow, Found Visually While Using AMetal Detector
I received the following message during Tuesday evenings snow storm, at approximately 10:30pm.
“Would you be available tomorrow morning to help locate a set of keys that fell into the snow near my car?”
The message was from Erika and I told her I was already booked, to search for a two rings, in the morning. One ring in Westbrook, Maine and one in South Portland, Maine. I then asked her where she was located and she replied, “Scarborough, Maine.” I then thought to my self that I could have Gary Hill, search for the wedding ring, in Westbrook and I could search for the keys, in the Town of Scarborough, Maine, while on my way to Southportland,ME, to search for a class ring, at Southern Maine Community College. According to Erika, the area she lost her key fob was very small and after searching for 2-3 hours, she just couldn’t find them in the snow. I made plans to meet Erika at 6:30am, the next morning, Wednesday December 3rd. I would be able to search for an hour or so, before I had to be in Southportland .
So, Gary headed to Westbrook, I headed to Scarborough and then on to South Portland. Gary and I had communicated that we would meet up at any, of the locations, to help each other, should the help be needed, once our respective searches were completed. I arrived at Erika’s, promptly at 6:30am and Erika was there to meet me. It was cold and the sun was just starting to rise, as Erika showed me the very small area, to be searched. I knew I could cover the entire area, in just 15-20 minutes. Unfortunately, the two vehicles were setting my metal detector off and I couldn’t get very close to the vehicles. Erika moved one of the vehicles, but couldn’t’t move hers, because she didn’t have the key fob. I searched the entire area, from the stairs, to the house and the areas around the two vehicles. No key fob found. We then took a shovel and moved all the snow, away from any metal objects, that could have been masking the key fob. Even after shoveling, still no key fob. I then decided to search the area, a second time. This time I would search North to South, rather that East to West, like the first search. Fifteen minutes later, still no key fob. I told Erika I would use my Minelab CTX-3030 metal detector, for a third search. I had been using a Minelab Manticore but decided to try my other detector, As I am getting the CTX-3030 set up and started searching, I was telling Erika that I really didn’t think the key fob was outside, in the area she thought it would be. I then started asking Erika many questions like, “Had you gone to any other area of the driveway? No, just around the cars and back and forth into the house, was her reply. “Have you checked your coat pockets and pants pockets”. Yes I have searched the many times. Did you have anything else on that hasn’t been searched, like a hoodie, gloves, or hat?” At that point, Erika said she would be right back and headed into the house. I was continuing the search, with the CTX-3030 and still wasn’t finding anything, not even a key fob. As I was working my way towards the walkway to the house, Erika came out the door and said, “You can stop searching. I have it’ WHAT? She found the key fob? As Erika approached e, she said, “When you were asking me all those questions, you jogged my memory, when you asked if I had had anything else on.” Erika went on to tell me that the previous day, while cleaning the cars off, some snow from the storm had made it’s way down the back of her coat, all over her neck and clothing. Eriks went inside to get the snow out from the inside of her coat and clothing, including a vest, she had been wearing. Once the snow had been removed, Erika went back out side to finish the snow clean up. Once finished, Erika went back inside the house and a few hours later, at 7:00pm, went to get her keys, but couldn’t find them. Thinking she must have dropped them, hours ago, out in the snow, she went outside and searched, for the key fob but couldn’t find it. She went inside and searched through her clothing, forgetting all about the vest, she had taken off, many hours earlier. When I jogged her memory, she went straight to the vest and in the inside pocket, of the vest, was a key fob. Case close!!! Since it was the only key fob available to start her car with, Erika was in panic mode and the vest completely slipped her mind. Erika was extremely relieved and could now get in her vehicle and get on with her day, with a big smile, on her face.
Gary and I ask a lot of questions, on every search. People just don’t remember everything but once we are on site and show an interest, in helping them, people relax a little and start thinking more clearly, once we start asking all those questions. So it isn’t always a metal detector that finds a lost item, sometimes it’s just a little detective work. It doesn’t matter how the lost item is found. The important thing is that the client has their item back and a smile on their face. Another key fob, back in the car and I have the best job, in the world.😀❤️🙏
