Answers to Homeless Man finds Violin

1 Eric Grygiel
2 35 years old
3 In a squat – in an abandoned house
4 No, because he didn’t have a permanent job – he had casual ones for a day or a week or two at a time.
5 He begged, shoplifted or stole from cars.
6 Since the late 1980s.
7 Because he had been forced to move out from his previous squat when an animal charity took over the premises for their organisation. (Presumably they paid a rent, whereas Eric Grygiel and his friend did not – they were squatters.)
8 A violin
9 This fact is not mentioned – it was, however, in a case to protect it, and the case was wrapped up in old rags and in a cupboard in the attic.
10 Because it is a Stradivarius, a violin which is world-famous for its quality of tone and craftsmanship.
11 No, he took it straight to Vence town hall.
12 At Vence police station, in a safe.
13 Because when people find property which belongs to unknown people, the police file the objects found so that people can collect their missing belongings.
14 He’s waiting for the owner of the violin to claim the violin.
15 Who knows? I heard and read this reported in France and despite my searches never managed to find out whether Eric Grygiel actually ended up owning this priceless instrument. If anyone out there finds this out – please drop me a line!

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