Gold thief offers to pay for pilfered nugget

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A man who took a nearly $5,000 gold nugget from a Juneau, Alaska, jewelry store offered to pay for it two days after his face appeared in photos distributed by the media.

Police Lt. Kris Sell says the man apparently didn't realize he was being videotaped when he pocketed the gold on Aug. 10.

The tape showed a man attempting to get a clerk's attention, but then putting the nugget in his pocket and leaving.

Juneau Crime Line distributed photos of the man Friday. Sell says tips began pouring in immediately.

The man is a former resident who participated in a Juneau fishing derby. Sell says he called the jewelry store Sunday and left his credit card number.

Prosecutors are deciding whether to press charges.

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