Mohammad Sohail Spares Robber's Life, Gets 'Thank You' And $50

Mohammad Sohail, the proprietor of a deli on Long Island, didn't hesitate when he was accosted back in May by a man with a baseball bat who demanded his money. After having his hands up momentarily, the New York Post reports, Sohail pulled a 9 mm rifle from behind his counter and forced the would-be robber to drop his weapon.

After the robber pleaded for his life, saying he had no choice but to rob to feed his family, Sohail gave him some bread, $40, and sent him on his way.

The story would be astounding enough if it ended right there, but the robber surprised Sohail again just this last week, with a letter containing thanks and $50. The letter discussed how the writer's life had improved since the incident:

"Now I have a new child and good job make good money staying out of trouble and taking care of my family. You gave me forty dollars thank you for sparing my life Because of that you change my life."

Sohail joked that the robbery ended up bringing him good fortune. "When you do good things for somebody, it comes back to you. I gave him $40 and he sent me back $50. It was a good investment."

Watch the original robbery attempt from Sohail's security camera:

Perhaps this heartwarming incident will help Sohail overcome his latest indiscretion, when he was busted for selling drug paraphernalia back in July.

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Comments

[acudoc]

12:57 AM on 12/12/2009

An inspiring tale, marred only by the report that Mr. Sahail was busted for possession of drug paraphernalia a few months back. It would be interesting to know the details of that bust. He sold someone a bong? Bad man....thank god for the state's intervention! In fact, all hail the magnificent and all corrupt state, watching over every little thing we do until we are not allowed to do anything but what they want us to do, with the money THEY PROVIDE.

[Mandeep Ghuman]

01:10 AM on 12/09/2009

very compassionate..the man has heart..

[Thundercloud65]

03:00 PM on 12/06/2009

I praise his compassion and humanity. Just shows that whatever religion you adhere to a good heart is a good heart.

[blueangels]

09:57 AM on 12/05/2009

this was a very touching story. let's all appreciate this for what it is, a story on mercy and we should never condemn others until we walk in their shoes.

[skinsqb17]

08:54 AM on 12/05/2009

i will pray today for both of these men..there but for the grace of god could be any one of us..

[Zenfull]

08:49 AM on 12/05/2009

"Pay it forward." These are difficult times. Many people are suffering. For those of us who are more fortunate, it is a shame that the cynicism and smugness so prevalent in our country today prevent us from practicing virtue and compassion effortlessly. Next time you see a Bell Ringer from The Salvation Army, drop all your spare change in the bucket. If you are not volunteering in your community right now, then start. Don't know where to start? Try http://www.volunteermatch.org/ .

A life begins at birth and what happens to that person ultimately affects us all. BTW, I highly recommend seeing the film "Precious" if you are particularly affected with cynicism and smugness and think that people are what they are by their own choice and therefore do not deserve our compassion and support.

[marco01]

08:03 AM on 12/05/2009

See, there's hope for humanity after all ; )

[Mongonius]

07:48 AM on 12/05/2009

It's funny how you can pretty much tell the ideology of posters from their comments.

Conservatives see the world through a lens of scarcity and fear:
"Letting him go was dangerous and put other people at risk."
"This is what the courts are for."
"He'll be back at it in no time."

Liberals are excited about hope and forgiveness:
"I'm glad he got a second chance."
"What an uplifting story."

We'll all be better off when we realize that this - the sense of community and brotherhood - is what creates the schism that's poisoning our government and our social discourse. To a Republican, there is no social contract. You're on your own, no matter how desperate and low you get.

[billtmore]

08:30 AM on 12/05/2009

Nice, thoughtful and accurate comment, mongonius...made my morning

[skinsqb17]

08:58 AM on 12/05/2009

and when you gonna get some bread, your brother's got to be your enemy....Bob Marley from
"Ambush in the Night."

[atretrioeciii]

07:23 AM on 12/05/2009

This story is from the New York Post?

Has there been a coup?

[filo]

07:06 AM on 12/05/2009

What goes around, comes around.

[peacechants]

06:06 AM on 12/05/2009

The robber brought his deadly weapon, a baseball bat, to threaten his would-be victim. He didn't know he was going to a gun fight. The video shows him changing his tune and becoming religious in a "New York second". The lesson may have been learned, yet the law provides a prison sentence for armed robbery, and in releasing the perp, the store owner may have inadvertently endangered possible future victims. Despite the reimbursement and declaration of self-reform, if this guy ever offends again, he will be using a firearm, and he may well shoot first as a precaution.

[laborgrunt]

07:45 AM on 12/05/2009

Party Pooper!

[mrmikes]

08:00 AM on 12/05/2009

...and then Sohail would have no chance for a run for president?

[mono]

06:02 AM on 12/05/2009

A refreshing story.

[CintiBlue]

05:56 AM on 12/05/2009

I was a bank teller in the 70's. Friday was always busy with payday. I transposed numbers and paid out $50.00 too much (that was a huge amount back then) and freaked as I realized my mistake when I was balancing my drawer.

Anyway, This gent called me close to closing to tell me I'd given him $50.00 too much and he'd bring it in on Monday, which he did. He was in his early 30's, I'm sure had a young family with ongoing needs and he choose to return my mistake. I can still see his face.

[MeloMelo66]

03:24 PM on 12/08/2009

Thanks for sharing. Good deeds have the capacity of changing people/the world, even though cynicism would lead us to believe in the contrary.

[CintiBlue]

03:30 PM on 12/08/2009

You're right, MeloMelo66. it was an excellent moment. :-)).

[Sorti]

05:55 AM on 12/05/2009

I'd trust this robber over any banker any day of the week.

[Zenfull]

08:30 AM on 12/05/2009

a new parable for the Bible...or the Koran.

[MeloMelo66]

03:25 PM on 12/08/2009

I'm with you, wolves in sheeps clothing are the scariest of monsters. You can find them wearing expensive looking suits, inside pristine buildings and telling you "trust me, this is the safest investment you'll even make".

[tman418]

05:04 AM on 12/05/2009

This is definitely a once in a life-time story. I'm glad it ended with no one getting hurt.