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El Pollo Franchisee Giving Money To Customer Who Had It Stolen In Parking Lot

MANTECA (CBS13) - A local man is getting a big gift from a fast food restaurant.

In late April, John Estrella was on his way to the bank when he stopped at El Pollo Loco on 1730 E Yosemite Avenue in Manteca for dinner. While in the parking lot, John dropped an envelope containing $2,200 in cash – money, he says, that was supposed to be used as a down payment on his home. A few seconds later, another customer quickly got out of his vehicle, walked over to John's truck and took the money.

Surveillance video shows the man and his friends watching as John frantically searches for his lost money.

"So I'm tearing my whole truck apart, and at the same time, I'm looking into El Pollo Loco and I can see these people looking at me," John said.

El Pollo Loco franchise owner Rafael Armenta Jr. was scheduled to meet with John at around noon Friday.

Police are still looking for the suspect. Crimestoppers is offering a $1,000 reward in addition to the $300 John is offering for information leading to an arrest.

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