Treasure Hunter Finds, Returns Wedding Ring Lost on Fire Island

When Erin Carrazzo lost her wedding ring while vacationing with her family on Fire Island a few weeks ago, she wished aloud on Facebook that "some metal detector dude" could find it. 

Little did she know a treasure hunter had in fact found her ring and was looking for its owner on his own Facebook page.

Retired fireman Mike Cogan, who says he's always wanted to be a pirate, was using his metal detector on Robert Moses Beach when he found the ring just 2 inches below the surface.

"I took it out of my scoop and it was very heavy," said Cogan, of East Northport. "I saw it was inscribed, and I said, 'This isn't a kid's ring. This is platinum and these have to be real diamonds.'"

"I knew how empty she had to feel. I don't want anybody to feel like that, so I started my search," he said. 

Cogan turned to Facebook and posted pictures of the ring. Those photos were shared by friends and mommy-group pages in Queens, where Carrazzo lives in Flushing. Ten days later, the strangers connected, first on the phone.

"Getting in touch with her was as good as finding the diamonds," he said. 

Cogan and Carrazzo's meeting was captured by NBC 4 New York Thursday. The two hugged warmly, and Carrazzo slipped the ring back on her finger, noting it felt "amazing."

"I'm amazed how much good there is in the world," she said. 

It turned out that the wannabe pirate's real treasure was seeing the mom of three smile.

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