Woman leaves $20k in jewelry, green card and social security card in taxi's trunk

PROSPECT HEIGHTS (WABC) -- An artist from Brooklyn is on a mission to correct a $20,000 mistake.

She left expensive and extremely sentimental jewelry behind in a taxi's trunk along with her green card and social security card.

"I was so sad, and I feel like I lost myself," said Mariko Spigner, jewelry owner.

She says if only she hadn't been so frazzled while moving with so many bags in Prospect Heights last Sunday morning this might not have happened.

Spigner says she got into a green cab and then got out on 56th Street near 5th Avenue in Sunset Park, but her wedding band and her engagement ring stayed in the trunk of the cab.

"I just screamed, when I looked the cab was already at the corner," Spigner said. "I have to move my friend place to place, I was so tired and I didn't pay attention."

And those weren't the only valuables Spigner says she lost.

"My green card, my social security card," Spigner said.

The city's Taxi and Limousine Commissioner said, "We're going to do our best detective work on this, and we are cautiously optimistic, but there are a few lessons to be learned from this unfortunate instance."

For one thing, Spigner had negotiated a flat rate.

The TLC says; remember that means there's no meter and no GPS to track it down.

They warn riders not to accept any flat fare and to always get a receipt.

Meanwhile, Spigner fears she lost something irreplaceable.

"These rings were so important to me because I did my own design, so just kind of like custom made," Spigner said.

She's hoping her cabbie, or whoever finds it, has a heart.

"These items are so important for me. They are a part of my life. Now I cannot sleep every day, I feel so sad."