A Bronx man spent hours swimming through trash at the New York City Department of Sanitation after his laptop was accidentally thrown in the trash.  

Rudis Rodriguez says that his bookbag and laptop were thrown out mistakenly. The laptop contained important information for Rodriguez’s real estate business, including clients and business information.  
Once Rodriguez realized his laptop was thrown in the trash, he called the Department of Sanitation and they told him to come search for the bag.  

The New York City Department of Sanitation tells News 12 people often do make requests to look through trash after throwing something out. 

"It's not a pretty sight, some people are overwhelmed by the sight, and some don't want to do it. Some people will spend an hour and unfortunately can't find it, but I would say better than 50/50 chance people are able to find their lost valuables," said Vincent Gragnani DSNY’s press secretary.  

After Rodriguez combed through the trash in the early hours of Friday morning, he was reunited with the bag.  

"I called my kids' grandma, she was like, 'I'm going to pray right now. I'm going to pray right now for God to help you to find that laptop because you need that stuff.' She told me she was praying, I don't know if the prayer worked, I was excited, I was committed," said Rodriguez.