[cycjec]

This "Lucky Bag" isn't a law. It's a NYPD sting operation. Many people who find unattended wallets, bags, etc. in public places are arrested by New York's Finest when they pick them up intending to return them. Cab drivers are fortunate in that the NYPD has its own vehicles.
The law cited is the New York Property Law which I am not in a position to cut and paste here, but the gist is that it requires finders to make efforts to return lost property. As your experience indicates, many people do indeed so so, and I daresay, do so unmotivated by NYS statute.

[miss marmelstein]

But I’ve never heard of somebody being arrested for returning a wallet to it’s rightful owner or picking one up from a trash can - where the thief generally deposits it after stealing the cash.

I believe you, of course, I just never knew anyone who got in trouble over that. As I said, I get my wallet returned to me every other day, lol. I keep a twenty handy on me all the time to offer as a reward. No one ever accepts it, either.

[cuban leaf]

Hey! You guys are in the wrong thread! :)

[muawiyah]

So what you're saying is the young man pooping on the NYC cop car may have been expressing a quite relevant and positive emotion.

Next time I see one of their vehicles down here in Virginia (doing a gun deal) I'll try it. See if they get the message.