Cape May Fire Lieutenant Digs Up Lost Wedding Rings

A Cape May firefighter found two rings buried deep in Wildwood Crest's sandy shores. The items made their way back to their owner in Mantua Township.

Laura Emanuel's rings slid right off her fingers while she was applying sunscreen at the beach. She didn't notice they were missing until she'd been home for days.

Jeffrey Laag spent the night scanning the beach with his metal detector. His first try turned up nothing, but then luck stepped in. Beachgoers spotted one ring glinting in the sand and turned it in to workers at The Grand at Diamond Beach.

Armed with new info about where the first ring turned up, Laag went back out. Near the surf, far from the first find spot, his detector pinged on the wedding band.

He then drove to Emanuel's house to hand over both rings. While his service accepts tips, he won't take payment for helping track down lost treasures.

Between shifts at the firehouse, Laag runs the Lost Ring & Jewelry Recovery Service. His mission is to help visitors who lose their precious items on Cape May County's beaches.

Anyone who loses a ring can contact Laag at ringfinderscapemay.com. He works with other searchers who offer similar help along New Jersey's coast.