02/02/2003

For Matthew Sotnik, of North Providence, the worst snowstorm in Rhode Island history was a blessing in disguise.

On Sunday, Feb. 5, Sotnik left a Holy Name Society meeting at St. Adalbert Church, on Atwells Avenue, only to find that his 1973 Ford had been stolen.

While reading The Evening Bulletin on Feb. 16, Sotnik spotted his car's license registration number in a list of cars that had not been claimed since the blizzard.

"I looked at the numbers hoping to see my number and I did," he told The Providence Journal.

Sotnik called the Cranston police and was told his car had been found on Bolton Street. When he went to pick up the vehicle, the ignition was missing, the front seat was torn and one of the fenders had been smashed.

Despite the damage, Sotnik said he was glad to get his wheels back.

Matthew Sotnik

10 Simpson St.

North Providence