Penitent Thief Solves Crime Before It Is Discovered

A Canadian family were surprised on opening their front door in the morning to find on the front porch a plastic bag containing their XBox, digital camera, $50 in cash to repair a door screen they did not realise had been broken and a letter of apology. 

While they were out the previous night, the writer had cut through the screen to break into their house and had stolen the items which he or she was now returning, which the family had not even noticed were missing.

The writer said: "It was nothing personal and I didn't go through any of your personal belongings. I have been having a very hard time financially lately and I made the worst mistake of my life."

The writer also promised to do 15 hours of community service to atone for the break-in.